VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, AND IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, AFTER 0-0 DRAW IN ASIAN QUALIFYING PLAYOFF FOR 2026 WORLD CUP WHICH SEALED SAUDI ARABIA'S QUALIFICATION SHOWS: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 14, 2025) (AFC – For editorial use, no resales, no monetisation) TO FOLLOW STORY: Saudi Arabia claimed a 0-0 draw with Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday (October 15) to seal qualification for next year's World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Herve Renard's side only needed a point against Graham Arnold's Iraq, and an injury-time save by goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqidi to keep out Hassan Abdulkareem's curling free kick ensured the Saudis confirmed their seventh appearance at a World Cup Finals since making their debut in 1994. The result means Saudi Arabia win Group B of the fourth round of Asia's preliminaries, finishing level on four points with the Iraqis but ahead of their neighbours on goals scored having beaten Indonesia 3-2 in their opening match while Iraq could only muster a 1-0 win over the third-place finishers. Iraq now advance to a two-legged play-off against Group A runners-up the United Arab Emirates in November to determine which side will represent Asia in March's inter-confederation play-offs. The Lions of Mesopotamia have only made one World Cup appearance – in 1986 when the tournament was last in Mexico – and head coach Graham Arnold did not hold back from criticising the format of the AFC's fourth round qualifiers. 2030 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia were given the advantage of playing both their fourth round matches at home after a controversial bidding process held by the AFC in June. This was despite Iraq ranking higher after the third qualifying round with 15 points to Saudi Arabia's 13. After the match, Arnold was quick to point out that such fixtures had previously been played at a neutral venue. The 62-year-old Australian also criticised how his side were given less than 72 hours rest between matches while Saudi Arabia benefitted from a six day break after playing Indonesia. (Production: Conal Quinn)
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