Saudi Arabia Clinches World Cup 2026 Berth: Tears, Triumph, and Fireworks in Jeddah
14 October 2025
Saudi Arabia wrote another chapter in its football history by clinching a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw with Iraq on Tuesday evening at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, concluding the Asian playoff for the finals.
The Green Falcons arrived confident after their 3-2 victory over Indonesia, a result that gave them the edge in the race to qualification, as they needed only a single point to seal their place, achieved amid a roaring crowd in the stands of the Enmaa stadium.
With this qualification, Saudi Arabia extends its global footprint with a seventh World Cup appearance, adding to campaigns in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022, and now in 2026.
Meanwhile, Iraq will continue its journey in the smaller Asian playoff, facing the UAE in November to decide who advances to the global playoff.
Tears of the Captain
When the final whistle blew, the King Abdullah Sports City pitch turned into a sea of joy and tears. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari could not hold back, tears of joy streaming as he helped his country reach a historic milestone.
As fans danced in the stands, Al-Dawsari raised his hands to the sky, receiving a thunderous ovation for his leadership and his role in pushing the Green Falcons toward another World Cup.
The AFC later crowned Al-Dawsari man of the match for guiding the team to qualification from the field and inspiring his teammates with his spirit.
Al-Dawsari’s continued excellence also kept him on the radar for Asian football’s top individual honors, with the AFC Awards looming in Riyadh later this month.
Fireworks and the Road Ahead
Saudi celebrations lit up the Enmaa, with fireworks and national songs echoing through the city, including the crowd favorite: "Ya Saudi Ma Shaa Allah." Players returned to the fans with smiles and tears, a visible sign that the nation stands behind this achievement.
Behind the scenes, the stars aligned for Al-Dawsari as he collected other honors, and his quest for further recognition in Asian football continued, with the AFC Awards ceremony scheduled in Riyadh later this month.
From here, the road to 2026 becomes a platform for continuity, with Saudi football aiming to build on a history that has taken the Green Falcons from USA 1994 to a modern era of notable global campaigns.
From America 1994 to the 2026 Milestone
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup journey is not a sudden spark but a sustained arc that began with the surprise run at USA 1994, when Saeed Al-Owairan scored a legendary goal against Belgium. Since then, the Green Falcons have featured in France 1998, Korea/Jorea 2002, Germany 2006, then returned strongly in Russia 2018 and shocked Argentina in Qatar 2022, one of the greatest Arab achievements in World Cup history.
Since that famous 1994 moment, Saudi Arabia has remained a constant presence on the global stage, setting sights on continued growth and success in the years ahead.
Punchline: If football had a soundtrack, Saudi celebrations would be a full symphony—fireworks, anthems, and a chorus loud enough to wake the coffee machine at home. Punchline 2: They say the ball doesn’t lie; apparently, it pays in fireworks and selfies when the Green Falcons are flying high.
