Saudi Team Wraps Up Iraq Clash Prep in Jeddah

The Saudi national football team completed its preparations on Monday, September 29, 2026, ahead of its clash against Iraq in the third and final Group A match of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup. The game is set for Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Saudi time at Alinma Stadium, King Abdullah Sports City, in Jeddah.

The fixture brings together two of the group's heavyweights on home soil, with Group A also featuring Oman and Kuwait. The Saudi side heads into the encounter having already secured its place in the semifinals, giving the team room to fine-tune its lineup and rotate players ahead of the knockout stage.

The squad will be without several key names for the match. Hassan Kadesh is unavailable after suffering a thigh injury, while Salem Al-Dawsari remains absent from the tournament squad due to injury. In addition, Mukhtar Ali was called in to replace Musab Al-Juwayr, who was excluded from the squad for disciplinary reasons.

For fans across the Kingdom, the Jeddah showdown offers a chance to see the national team in action at home before the tournament reaches its decisive rounds. With qualification already assured, attention now turns to how the team performs against a strong Iraqi opponent and how it shapes up for the challenges ahead in the semifinals.

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