Overview
- Local outlet Asharq Business reported on Oct. 15 that the government will award 5 million riyals to each squad member, a report relayed by Poder360.
- The minister joined players on the field to celebrate and is tasked with disbursing the bonus.
- Saudi Arabia clinched its spot with a 0–0 draw against Iraq in Jeddah on Oct. 14.
- The berth was decided by the goals-scored tiebreak in the fourth qualifying phase, which included a 3–1 Saudi win over Iraq in an earlier match.
- It will be the nation’s seventh World Cup appearance and third in a row; the 2026 tournament runs June 11–July 19 in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with the final at MetLife Stadium.