Saudi Arabia’s journey towards the FIFA World Cup was long and bumpy.. Saudi Arabia has seen its fortunes change from 1994’s humble beginnings to 2018’s triumph 🇸🇦 ⚽ 🌏 …
In 1994 Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation to qualify for the World Cup after missing out on both 1986 and 1990 editions!! Led by former Rio Claro player Carlos Alberto Parreira Saudi Arabia (then known as the Saudi Football Association) entered Group F alongside Belgium Morocco and The Netherlands 🌍 🇲🇦 🇳🇱 🇸🇦 🔛 🇧🇪 ⚽. Despite a tough start against Belgium and Morocco they managed their first wins in competition – eventually going on to win 1-0 against Sweden in the knockout rounds 🇲🇦 ️ 🔛 🇸🇪 🇧🇪. Unfortunately for them though they ultimately fell to Sweden 1-0 during their encounter in the round of sixteen 🇸🇪.
Four years later Saudi Arabia found themselves in a similar predicament heading into the 1998 edition of the World Cup ️ 🇸🇦 🌐. Grouped with Belgium Morocco and The Netherlands once more they exited the group stages in last place after failing to win any games 🇲🇦 🇳🇱 🇧🇪.
After a 16 year absence, Saudi Arabia finally returned to the World Cup in 2014 🌍 🇸🇦 ️. This time their fortunes were much improved . Led by Argentinian manager Jorge Luis Pinto they were placed in Group H alongside Algeria Belgium and Russia 🇩🇿 🇧🇪. After a difficult start the Saudis picked up their first win of the tournament in their second game defeating Algeria 2-1 ️ 🆙 🇩🇿. Their third game against Belgium proved decisive as they secured a 1-0 victory and with it a place in the knockout rounds ️ 🇧🇪. In the round of sixteen, they lost to eventual finalists Argentina 1-0 🇦🇷.
Four years later in 2018 Saudi Arabia returned to the World Cup once again 🇸🇦. This time they were placed in Group A alongside host nation Russia Egypt and Uruguay ️ 🇪🇬 🇺🇾. After a difficult start, they picked up their first win of the tournament in their second game against Egypt, securing a 2-1 victory ️ 🆙. They then went on to lose their next two games against both Russia and Uruguay 2️⃣ 🇺🇾 🔛. Ultimately they finished in third place in the group and failed to qualify for the knockout rounds .
In 2020 Saudi Arabia attempted to qualify for the 2022 World Cup 🌏 🇸🇦. They were placed in Group D alongside Iraq Singapore Yemen, and Bahrain 🇸🇬 🇧🇭 🇮🇶. After a difficult start they picked up their first win of the campaign against Yemen securing a 2-1 victory ️ 🆙 🇾🇪. They then went on to win their next three games against Iraq Bahrain and Singapore respectively 🇸🇬 🇧🇭 🇮🇶 🔛 3️⃣. With ten points, they topped the group, and secured their place in Qatar for the 2022 tournament 🇶🇦.
Over the years Saudi Arabia’s journey to the FIFA World Cup has been long and difficult. Saudi Arabia’s journey to the FIFA World Cup has been long and bumpy ⚽ 🇸🇦. From their initial success in 1994 to their most recent triumph in 2020 their fortunes have fluctuated, but they have proven themselves resilient and determined in the face adversity 😤. Saudi Arabia is qualified for the 2022 World Cup tournament and will strive to compete with the best 🌎 🇸🇦.
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🌍 3️⃣ 🆙 🇪🇬 🔛 🇦🇷 ️ 4️⃣ 🇺🇾 🇩🇿 🇧🇭 🇮🇶 ⚽ 🇾🇪 🇲🇦 😤 🇸🇬 🇸🇪 🇳🇱 2️⃣ 🇸🇦 🇧🇪 🇶🇦
