Saudi Arabia Qualifies for Semi-finals of 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with 3–1 Victory Over Iraq

28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
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Saudi Arabia Qualifies for Semi-finals of 26th Arabian Gulf Cup with 3–1 Victory Over Iraq

28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa
28 December 2024, Kuwait, Al-Ardiya: Saudi's Abdullah Al-Hamdan celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the Arabian Gulf Cup group B soccer match between Iraq and Saudi Arabia at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. Photo: -/Saudi Press Agency/dpa

The Saudi national football team has secured its qualification for the semi-finals of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup after defeating Iraq 3-1 in its final group-stage match in Kuwait on Saturday.
Saudi goals came from Forward Salem Al-Dawsari, who converted a penalty in the 57th minute, and Striker Abdullah Al-Hamdan, who scored in the 81st and 86th minutes. Iraq’s sole goal was scored by Forward Mohanad Ali in the 64th minute.
With this victory, the Saudi team increased its points tally to six and secured its place in the semi-finals alongside group leader Bahrain.

Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal congratulated the Saudi national football team players, along with the technical and administrative staff.

The minister extended his congratulations during a phone call with President of the Saudi Football Federation Yasser Almisehal, expressing his gratitude for the players’ outstanding performance and high spirit, as well as the efforts of the technical and administrative staff.
Prince Abdulaziz wished the national team continued success in showcasing their renowned skills and achieving the tournament title.



FIFA to Consider One-off Expansion to 64 Teams for 2030 World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 General view of the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 General view of the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo
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FIFA to Consider One-off Expansion to 64 Teams for 2030 World Cup

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 General view of the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Final - Argentina v France - Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar - December 18, 2022 General view of the World Cup trophy during the closing ceremony before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo

Soccer's governing body FIFA is to consider expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams to mark the centenary of the sport's marquee event, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

The 2030 World Cup will be held in Morocco, Spain and Portugal, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, where the inaugural edition was staged, set to host three games.

The World Cup has already been expanded from 32 to 48 teams for next year's edition in the US, Mexico and Canada, Reuters reported.

The New York Times said the latest proposal from Ignacio Alonso, a delegate from Uruguay, suggesting expanding the 2030 edition to 64 nations was made at the end of a meeting.

The newspaper, which did not name its sources, said the proposal was met with 'stunned silence' by the participants.

"(FIFA president) Mr Infantino ... described the proposal as an interesting one that should be analyzed more closely," the New York Times added, according to "four people with direct knowledge of the discussions."