October's Grand Return: How Saudi Arabia Earned a World Cup Seat for 2026
October turned into a month of optimism for Saudi Arabia's national team as they clinched a 2026 World Cup spot. The final qualification came on October 14, 2025, after a goalless draw with Iraq, securing the Asian playoff group on goals and leaving a trail of historic October moments. The piece revisits a string of October milestones: the first World Cup in 1994, the Arab Cup title in 1998, and late October breakthroughs in 2001 and 2025. It ends with reflections on what this October success means for Saudi football and its future challenges.