Saudi Arabia ready for World Cup tough fight after draw in Japan

SAITAMA – Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard said “everything can happen”, after a 0-0 draw with already qualified Japan on March 25 kept his team’s hopes of an automatic 2026 World Cup place alive.

The Saudis came under intense pressure from an attack-minded Japan in Saitama, but escaped with a point to stay in touch with Australia in the battle for second place in Asian qualifying third round Group C.

Australia beat China 2-0 and are three points ahead of the Saudis with two games remaining.

In Group B, South Korea’s struggles on home soil continued, as Hong Myung-bo’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Jordan in Suwon.

The top two teams from each group qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with those placing third and fourth going into another qualifying round.

Saudi Arabia host Australia in their final qualifier in June and Renard said his side were still in the mix for a direct berth.

“There are still two games, everything can happen,” said the Frenchman. “We have to go to Bahrain, Australia will receive Japan and we will receive Australia in the last game.

“It’s a tough fight. We just have to think about the four points we got during these two games and we look to be better offensively for the last two games.”

Renard, who led the Saudis to a famous 2-1 victory over eventual winners Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, returned for a second stint in October 2024 when Roberto Mancini was fired.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the World Cup when they beat Bahrain 2-0 last week and are guaranteed to win Group C.

Celtic striker Daizen Maeda hit the post with an early chance, but the Samurai