Saudi Arabia Beats Iraq 2-0, Tops Gulf Cup Group

Saudi Arabia defeated Iraq 2–0 on 29 September 2026 in the final Group A match of the Arabian Gulf Cup, played at Alinma Bank Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. The win sealed top spot in the group and a place in the semifinals.

The Saudi side broke the deadlock in the second half through Abdullah Al-Salem, who scored in the 54th minute. Abdullah Al-Hamdan doubled the lead in the 69th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

With the victory, Saudi Arabia finished top of Group A on nine points, completing the group stage in strong form and advancing to the next round of the tournament.

Why it matters

The result is a boost for Saudi football fans across the Kingdom, especially in Jeddah where the match was held. Reaching the semifinals as group leaders reflects a confident campaign and gives supporters plenty to look forward to in the knockout stage.

For residents and visitors following the competition, the clash carried extra significance given the long-standing regional rivalry. A clean 2–0 win in front of a home crowd underlines the team's momentum heading into the decisive phase of the tournament.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving