Saudi Green Put Everything on the Line: A Do-or-Die Clash to Seal 2026 World Cup Destiny
13 October 2025
Pre-match context and stakes
Saudi Arabia, buoyed by a 3-2 playoff win over Indonesia, now faces Iraq in a decisive Asia World Cup qualifier—an opportunity to cement direct qualification for the 2026 finals. With the standings tight, a draw could be enough to advance for the third consecutive time and seventh overall for the Green, depending on the tiebreakers and other results.
Squad updates and tactical notes
The squad received a timely boost as Abdullah Al-Hamdan, the Al-Hilal forward, returned to full training after a cold setback, taking part in Sunday’s session in preparation for the Iraq clash. Meanwhile, Renard confirmed that Abdulrahman Al-Abood will miss the match due to a jaw injury, while Mohamed Kanno’s suspension tightens the midfield puzzle. To compensate, coach Renard is tipped to deploy Ziad Al-Jehani in the engine room to fill the void left by Kanno.
Renard also highlighted Al-Hamdan as a potential trump card, returning to fitness and integrated into group drills, offering another attacking option as the team looks to unlock a stubborn Iraqi defense. The Frenchman’s plans during this window reflect his ongoing balancing act between risk and reward as he curates a 28-man squad to cover possible contingencies.
Form, venue, and numbers you can brag about at the water cooler
Saudi Arabia have a storied home record at the Al-Inma Stadium (formerly King Abdullah Sports City, nicknamed the Radiant Jewel). The venue has hosted 15 competitive matches for the Green in recent memory, yielding 12 wins and 3 draws, with 32 goals scored and only 9 conceded. The last home win against a strong opponent came in the 3-2 playoff opener against Indonesia, a result fans hope to see echoed against Iraq as they chase a World Cup berth.
Renard’s second spell in charge of the Green is also on the line, with an eye on a possible eighth victory since taking the role in late 2024. In 17 matches under Renard in this tenure, the record stands at 7 wins, 7 losses, and 4 draws, a stat they’ll be keen to improve in a high-stakes game.
Market value snapshot: A recent cross-border comparison placed Saudi Arabia’s squad at roughly €30.6 million, led by forwards such as Fahad Al-Breik and others, while Iraq’s squad hovered around €22.48 million in total value, with Zidan IQ captain candidates and a mix of rising talents pacing the roster.
Notes from the matchday press conference
Renard stressed the importance of fan support, saying the crowd’s presence and energy could tilt the balance in a match where every moment matters. The atmosphere at the Enma/Jewel-like stadium is seen as a source of inspiration for the Green, who will rely on home-ground confidence to press for the necessary result.
As for lineup decisions, the press indicated a plan to lean on Abdullah Hamdan’s sharp movement in attack while reinforcing midfield with Ziad Al-Jehani, ensuring a balance between resilience and attacking impetus.
Opportunity and optimism: The venue, the ongoing home-run record, and the players’ recent club-form all contribute to a wave of cautious optimism that the Green can capitalize on a favorable result and advance to the World Cup finals for the third consecutive time.
Historical footnotes: The Saudi squad’s recent run against regional rivals has been a catalyst for confidence, and the match against Iraq is framed as a pivotal moment in Renard’s campaign to steady the ship and push toward the finals with momentum on their side.
And yes, if suspense were a sport, this would be its grand finale at halftime—though in football, the whistle is the real cliffhanger.
Punchline 1: If this game were a loan, the interest would be a clean sheet and a hefty dose of drama—pay it back in goals, please!
Punchline 2: My prediction for the result? A nail-biter that makes even a calculator nervous. Pro tip: bring popcorn and a very brave forecast.
