Other names | Iraq vs Saudi Arabia |
---|---|
Location | Asia (AFC) West Asia (WAFF) |
Teams | Iraq Saudi Arabia |
First meeting | 29 March 1976 (48 years ago) |
Latest meeting | Saudi Arabia 0–2 Iraq 25th Arabian Gulf Cup (9 January 2023) |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 40 |
Most wins | Iraq (18) |
Largest victory | Saudi 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.
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.
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.
1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Iraq | 1–1 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Ahmed 86' | Al Mugnim 4' |
1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Iraq | 2–1 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Subhi 13' Hassan 41' | Bakhit 54' |
1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
Iraq | 1–1 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Radhi 1' | Owairan 36' |
Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Iraq |
---|---|---|
Al-Mehallel 26' | Report |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Iraq |
---|---|---|
Al-Dosari 45' | Report |
2002 FIFA World Cup qualification
Iraq | 1–2 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Al-Hail 31' | Report | Shehan 1', 77' |
Saudi Arabia | 1–2 | Iraq |
---|---|---|
Al-Montashari 57' | Report | Akram 51' Mahmoud 86' |
Iraq | 1–0 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Mahmoud 72' | Report |
2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Iraq | 0–2 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
Report |
|
2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Saudi Arabia | 2–1 | Iraq |
---|---|---|
| Report |
|
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Iraq | 1–2 | Saudi Arabia |
---|---|---|
| Report |
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
Saudi Arabia | 1–0 | Iraq |
---|---|---|
|
Matches held in Iraq | 5 |
Matches held in neutral venue | 23 |
Matches held in Saudi Arabia | 12 |
Total matches | 40 |
Matches won by Iraq | 18 |
Matches won by Saudi Arabia | 11 |
Despite the nation being torn apart by civil war, Iraqi football in 2007 went as scheduled for the most part. Iraqi clubs participated in international competition, the Olympic team went through qualifications, and the national team played in different tournaments. No games by the national team or the Iraqi clubs were played in Iraq due to violence.
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