Iraq–Saudi Arabia football rivalry

Last updated
Iraq–Saudi Arabia rivalry
Other namesIraq vs Saudi Arabia
Location Asia (AFC)
West Asia (WAFF)
TeamsFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
First meeting29 March 1976
(49 years ago)
Latest meetingIraq 1–3 Saudi Arabia
26th Arabian Gulf Cup
(28 December 2024)
Statistics
Meetings total41
Most winsIraq (18)
Largest victorySaudi Arabia 1–7 Iraq
4th Arabian Gulf Cup
(29 March 1976)

Iraq and Saudi Arabia are two fierce rivals of the Arab world. Their matches are often considered to be one of the most heated rivalries in the world.

Contents

Although received lesser attention comparing to rivalry with Iran of both sides, it is one of the oldest rivalries in Asia. [1] Emotions often run high when two teams meet each others.

Reason behind the rivalry

The main reasons for this rivalry are political differences, and historical grievances. During the Gulf War in the 1990s, Iraq invaded Kuwait, an ally of Saudi Arabia, and both fought a short but bloody war that would continue to have a major impact on their relations. [2] Due to the Gulf War of 1991, Saudi Arabia and Iraq had no official diplomatic relations, resulting in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification matches between the two nations being held on neutral grounds of Bahrain and Jordan.

Recently, accusations from Iraq that Saudi Arabia is instigating terrorist groups, like ISIS and Al-Qaeda, further deepened enmity between the two nations.

Major tournament matches

1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Soccerball shade.svg86' Al Mugnim Soccerball shade.svg4'
Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad

1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Subhi Soccerball shade.svg13'
Hassan Soccerball shade.svg41'		 Bakhit Soccerball shade.svg54'
Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad

1982 FIFA World Cup qualification

First round
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq
Mohammad Soccerball shade.svg82'
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Referee: Rubio Vesquez (Mexico)

1994 FIFA World Cup qualification

Final round
Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Radhi Soccerball shade.svg1' Owairan Soccerball shade.svg36'
Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: Quiniou (France)

1996 AFC Asian Cup

Group stage
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq
Al-Mehallel Soccerball shade.svg26' Report
Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Ali Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates)

2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

Final round
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq
Al-Dosari Soccerball shade.svg45' Report
Bahrain National Stadium, Manama
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Lu Jun (China)

2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

Final round
Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Al-Hail Soccerball shade.svg31' Report Shehan Soccerball shade.svg1', 77'
Amman International Stadium, Amman (Jordan)
Attendance: 17,000
Referee: Óscar Ruiz (Colombia)

2004 AFC Asian Cup

Group stage
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–2Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq
Al-Montashari Soccerball shade.svg57' Report Akram Soccerball shade.svg51'
Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg86'
Sichuan Longquanyi Stadium, Chengdu
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Kwon Jong-chul (South Korea)

2007 AFC Asian Cup

Final
Iraq  Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg1–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg72' Report
Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
Attendance: 60,000
Referee: Mark Shield (Australia)

2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman (Jordan)
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: Abdullah Al Hilali (Oman)

2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification

Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg2–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
Attendance: 21,600
Referee: Masaaki Toma (Japan)

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam (Malaysia)
Attendance: 3,400
Referee: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)

2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
Attendance: 60,153

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgvFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah

Matches

Source: [3]
#DateCompetitionHome teamScoreAway teamGoals (home)Goals (away)Venue
122 August 1975 1976 Olympic qualification [a] Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg0–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia State Flag of Iran (1964).svg Tehran
225 November 1975 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Ahmed Soccerball shade.svg86' Al-Mugnim Soccerball shade.svg4' Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad
32 December 1975 Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Subhi Soccerball shade.svg13', Hassan Soccerball shade.svg42' Bakhit Soccerball shade.svg54' Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg Al-Shaab Stadium, Baghdad
429 March 1976 1976 Gulf Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–7Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq Suroor Soccerball shade.svg82' Waal Soccerball shade.svg3', Abdul-Jalil Soccerball shade.svg6', Hassan Soccerball shade.svg25', Kadhim Soccerball shade.svg45', 60', 68'
Subhi Soccerball shade.svg89'		 Flag of Qatar.svg Doha
531 August 1976 Friendly Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–0Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Riyadh
614 December 1978 1978 Asian Games Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Ali Soccerball shade.svg40' Flag of Thailand.svg Bangkok
78 April 1979 1979 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Hassan Soccerball shade.svg24', Farhan Soccerball shade.svg36' Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg Al Shaab Stadium, Baghdad
821 March 1981 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq Dabo Soccerball shade.svg82' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Al Malaz Stadium, Riyadh
924 March 1982 1982 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg
101 December 1982 1982 Asian Games Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–1Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq H.Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg17' Flag of India.svg Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
1117 March 1984 1984 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg4–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Shaker Soccerball shade.svg25', Saeed Soccerball shade.svg57', 70', 84' Flag of Oman.svg Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat
1210 July 1985 1985 Arab Nations Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg3–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Abid Soccerball shade.svg12', 18', Rashid Soccerball shade.svg28' Nu'eimeh Soccerball shade.svg12' (pen.), Al-Jawad Soccerball shade.svg88' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg King Fahd Stadium, Taif
1314 August 1985 1985 Pan Arab Games [b] Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Radhi Soccerball shade.svgSoccerball shade.svg Abdullah Soccerball shade.svg21' (pen.) Flag of Morocco.svg Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca
1430 March 1986 1986 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Saddam Soccerball shade.svg75' Flag of Bahrain.svg Manama
151 October 1986 1986 Asian Games Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–1 (a.e.t.) [c] Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq Al-Shehrani Soccerball shade.svg39' H.Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg51' Flag of South Korea (1984-1997).svg Seoul Olympic Stadium, Seoul
164 December 1987 1988 Olympic qualification [a] Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–0Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg  Iraq Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Riyadh
171 January 1988 Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Shaker Soccerball shade.svg51' (pen.) Flag of Oman.svg Muscat
1816 March 1988 1988 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Radhi Soccerball shade.svg59', Gorgis Soccerball shade.svg72' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
1915 July 1988 1988 Arab Nations Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1963-1991); Flag of Syria (1963-1972).svg2–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Radhi Soccerball shade.svg13', 35' Flag of Jordan.svg Amman
2024 October 1993 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg1–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Radhi Soccerball shade.svg1' Owairan Soccerball shade.svg36' Flag of Qatar.svg Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
218 December 1996 1996 AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq Al-Mehallel Soccerball shade.svg26' Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
2231 August 2001 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg  Iraq Al-Dosari Soccerball shade.svg45' Flag of Bahrain.svg Bahrain National Stadium, Manama
235 October 2001 Iraq  Flag of Iraq (1991-2004).svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Abu Al-Hail Soccerball shade.svg31' Shehan Soccerball shade.svg1', 77' Flag of Jordan.svg Amman International Stadium, Amman
2426 July 2004 2004 AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–2Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq Al-Montashari Soccerball shade.svg57' Akram Soccerball shade.svg51', Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg86' Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Sichuan Longquanyi Stadium, Chengdu
255 December 2005 2005 West Asian Games Iraq  Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg5–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Abdul-Amir Soccerball shade.svg8', E.Mohammed Soccerball shade.svg19', Akram Soccerball shade.svg30', Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg51', 78' Al-Qadi Soccerball shade.svg53' Flag of Qatar.svg Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
268 December 2005 Iraq  Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg2–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Salah Soccerball shade.svg33', Farhan Soccerball shade.svg85' Flag of Qatar.svg
2715 March 2006 Friendly Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg2–2Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq Temyat Soccerball shade.svg18', Al-Jaber Soccerball shade.svg59' Shakroun Soccerball shade.svg28', Abdul-Amir Soccerball shade.svg90+4' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
2824 January 2007 2007 Gulf Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg  Iraq Al-Qahtani Soccerball shade.svg12' (pen.) Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Al-Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2929 July 2007 2007 AFC Asian Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq (2004-2008).svg 1–0 Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg72' Flag of Indonesia.svg Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta
3022 March 2009 Friendly Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh
3128 December 2010 Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg24' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
325 July 2012 2012 Arab Nations Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Abdul-Zahra Soccerball shade.svg16' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
336 January 2013 2013 Gulf Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Shaker Soccerball shade.svg18', Hawsawi Soccerball shade.svg72' (o.g.) Flag of Bahrain.svg Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town
3415 October 2013 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Hawsawi Soccerball shade.svg34', Al-Shamrani Soccerball shade.svg78' Flag of Jordan.svg Amman International Stadium, Amman
3515 November 2013 Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg2–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Jassim Soccerball shade.svg18', Al-Shamrani Soccerball shade.svg60' Mahmoud Soccerball shade.svg45+1' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam
366 September 2016 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Abdul-Raheem Soccerball shade.svg18' Al-Abed Soccerball shade.svg81' (pen.), 88' (pen.) Flag of Malaysia.svg Shah Alam Stadium, Shah Alam
3728 March 2017 Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–0Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Al-Shehri Soccerball shade.svg53' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah
3828 February 2018 Friendly Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg4–1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Al-Robeai Soccerball shade.svg21' (o.g.), Mohsin Soccerball shade.svg47', Ali Soccerball shade.svg51', 73' Fallatah Soccerball shade.svg57' Flag of Iraq.svg Basra International Stadium, Basra
3915 October 2018 Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg1–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Al-Bishi Soccerball shade.svg90+4' Ali Soccerball shade.svg71' Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
409 January 2023 2023 Gulf Cup Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Bayesh Soccerball shade.svg30', Rostam Soccerball shade.svg86' Flag of Iraq.svg Basra International Stadium, Basra
4128 December 2024 2024–25 Gulf Cup Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–3Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Ali Soccerball shade.svg64' Al-Dawsari Soccerball shade.svg57' (pen.), Al-Hamdan Soccerball shade.svg81', 86' Flag of Kuwait.svg Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
4214 October 2025 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgFlag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg
  1. 1 2 Not a full FIFA international
  2. ↑ Iraq competed in the tournament with its B team squad.
  3. ↑ Saudi Arabia won on penalties.

Statistics

Matches held in Iraq5
Matches held in neutral venue24
Matches held in Saudi Arabia12
Total matches41
Matches won by Iraq18
Matches won by Saudi Arabia12

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Match Preview: Iraq vs Saudi Arabia". 27 February 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
  2. ↑ "World Cup '94-political Football". Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on 2015-05-12.
  3. ↑ "Iraq national football team: Record v Saudi%20Arabia". Archived from the original on 2016-06-16. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
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