Saudi Arabia secure World Cup berth amid controversial Asian qualifying format

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 RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST SHOWS: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (OCTOBER 15, 2025) (AFC – For editorial use, no resales, no monetisation) 1. SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE WITH MAN OF THE MATCH, SALEM AL-DAWSARI 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "Congratulations to the (Saudi Arabian Football Federation) president (Yasser Al-Misehal), the Minister of Sport (Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal), Salem, the captain, and all the players because they did it. It was not easy a few months ago but we did it. This is the most important." 4. WHITE FLASH 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SAUDI ARABIA HEAD COACH, HERVE RENARD, SAYING: "Thank you for all of you because you call me back. Some people maybe were not happy but the most important is that in the end we did it. And since 2019, you are fantastic with me. So, thank you because the players are behind us, the staff. They are working. Of course, we are not like this evening efficient enough to be a better team. So, we still have to improve a lot. But at least they have the willing to give the best for their country."  6. IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, ARRIVING 7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING: "Look, I’m sorry to the Iraqi fans but they’ve got to understand we’re still in it so stay positive (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING INTO ARABIC). But, you know, it’s no coincidence. (Oman head coach) Carlos Queiroz, he said it in Qatar. He’s never seen a competition like this. I’ve never seen it in my 30 years at national team football, how you can have a tournament like this where two teams get three days break in between games and one team gets six (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING INTO ARABIC). But the boys did everything they’ve got and gave everything they had which, all I can say is I’m very, very proud of (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING)." 8. WHITE FLASH 9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQ HEAD COACH, GRAHAM ARNOLD, SAYING: "When I was in Australia, it was, the playoffs would be in a neutral venue (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING INTO ARABIC). Then when I went to the AFC draw in Malaysia, it was the two highest ranked teams (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING INTO ARABIC). Iraq was one place higher than Saudi Arabia (INTERPRETER TRANSLATING INTO ARABIC)." 10. GRAHAM ARNOLD THANKING AND LEAVING PRESSER STORY: Saudi Arabia claimed a 0-0 draw with Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday (October 14) 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 team 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 their head coach 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 was 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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