Saudi Arabia booked their place at next year’s World Cup after holding Iraq to a 0-0 draw in Jeddah on Tuesday night, a result that ensured Herve Renard’s side topped Group B of Asia’s fourth-round qualifiers.
The hosts needed only a point to progress to the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and were made to work hard for it in front of more than 60,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City.
Goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi was the hero deep into stoppage time, producing a superb save to push away Hassan Abdulkareem’s curling free kick and confirm Saudi Arabia’s seventh World Cup appearance.
“I was expecting a lot of people but the atmosphere was fantastic – the fans pushed the players,” said Renard.
“Even though Salem [Al Dawsari] got the man of the match, I think this evening it was the fans. It has not been easy a few months ago, but we did it and this is the most important.”
In a tense first half, Saleh Abu Al Shamat provided the main spark for the Saudis, flashing a shot over the bar early on before setting up Feras Al Brikan soon after the break. The striker’s cross narrowly evaded Saud Abdulhamid, while Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan kept his side in contention with fine saves from both Al Shamat and Al Dawsari.
At the other end, Hassan Al Tambkti’s last-ditch challenge denied Mohanad Ali, before Al Aqidi’s injury-time intervention sealed qualification.
"We have achieved something extraordinary, truly unbelievable. What we accomplished is beyond amazing. Now, let’s go to the World Cup." Al Aqidi said in a video posted on the Asian Football Confederation's X channel.
"We are going to the World Cup! All praise be to God. To the incredible fans who showed up, you truly deserve this joy," said Al Brikan in another post.
The result left Saudi Arabia level on four points with Iraq but ahead on goals scored, while Graham Arnold’s side will now face the UAE in a two-legged play-off next month for a spot in the intercontinental play-offs in March.
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
