'We've achieved something extraordinary' - Saudi Arabia reach 2026 FIFA World Cup!

Saudi Arabia and Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi said the national team had done something "truly unbelievable” on Tuesday night after they booked their place at next summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Green Falcons needed only a draw in their Group B decider against Iraq at an inspired Alinma Stadium in Jeddah - and they did just that.

The game finished 0-0, meaning Saudi Arabia finished top of the pool in this Fourth Round of Asian Qualifiers. With it, a place in a third successive FIFA World Cup, and seventh overall, was theirs.

Al Aqidi, who shone in the Roshn Saudi League last season while on loan at Al Fateh, played a principal role in his team getting that all-important point.

Al Nassr goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi more than played his role in Saudi Arabia reaching 2026 FIFA World Cup

Deep into stoppage-time, he produced a brilliant save to push away Hassan Abdulkareem’s free-kick and send Herve Renard’s men to next year’s global finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"We have achieved something extraordinary, truly unbelievable,” Al Aqidi said in a video posted on the Asian Football Confederation's official social media channels. “What we accomplished is beyond amazing. Now, let’s go to the World Cup.”

Al Ahli striker Feras Al Buraikan, scorer of a brace in last Friday’s 3-2 win against Indonesia that set up the national team to advance, added in another post: "We are going to the World Cup! All praise be to God. To the incredible fans who showed up, you truly deserve this joy.”

Saudi Arabia players dance in delight after booking berth at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Playing at his RSL club’s home stadium, Al Buraikan was right to praise the Saudi Arabia supporters. More than 60,000 turned out on Tuesday, making Alinma Stadium a cacophony of noise and colour.

“I was expecting a lot of people, but the atmosphere was fantastic – the fans pushed the players,” a delighted Renard said afterwards. 

“Even though Salem [Al Dawsari] got the man of the match, this evening it was the fans. It had not been easy a few months ago, but we did it, and this is the most important.”

So, with a night of celebration in the Kingdom - and maybe a few days to come, too - all there's really left to say is...