Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification

Saudi Arabia's midfielder #10 Salem al-Dawsari celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Saudi Arabia and China at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 20, 2025. (File/AFP)
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Updated 15 October 2025
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Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification

  • Kingdom will make seventh appearance in next year’s tournament hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Kingdom will make their seventh appearance in next year’s tournament, which will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

Prince Abdulaziz, who also heads the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, lauded the team and staff, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

“The wise leadership has provided every means to keep the Kingdom’s flag flying high at international sporting events, including the world’s greatest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup.”

He said preparations will now focus on ensuring a strong performance next year.

Saudi Arabia secured a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a goalless draw against Iraq in Jeddah, in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers.

The hard-fought point was enough to give the Green Falcons top spot in Group B and guarantee their appearance at the finals.

The Green Falcons played in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with the team recording a historic group stage win against eventual champions Argentina.


Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

Updated 14 December 2025
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Pitching masterclass leads Mid East Falcons to series-saving win over Mumbai Cobras

  • Abu Dhabi and India franchises will meet on Sunday night in Baseball United Season 1 championship-decider

DUBAI: Kazuki Yabuta struck out eight and allowed only four hits and one run in 6.1 innings, and Haru Yoshioka had a perfect 2.2 relief with seven strikeouts, including a Fire Ball strikeout to end the game, to give Mid East Falcons a 5-1 win over Mumbai Cobras and tie the United Series (1-1).

Gregori Cano went 2-for-3, with a solo home run in the third inning, and Munenori Kawasaki went 2-for-4 with one run scored and a one-run double that represented the beginning of Mid East’s four-run attack in the eighth inning.

Jake Hjelle went 1-for-3 with an RBI, which was the Falcons’ third run of the game. The other two runs came on consecutive walks with the Money Ball in play, resulting in two RBIs for Federico Celli.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, the third and final game of the United Series will take place at Baseball United Ballpark.

In other highlights, Chase Gearing took the loss after 3.1 innings of relief work, in which he allowed four hits, three earned runs, and two strikeouts.

Raul Shah went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, as the standout man in the Cobras offense.
Lord de Vera and Lou Helmig left three and two men on base, respectively, for a total of five at key moments in the game.