06/28/26 03:01:00
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06/28 14:59 CDT Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like
Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and
Qatar
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a
fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from the
World Cup, proving that big money doesn't guarantee success on the sport's
biggest stage.
Saudi Arabia is out at the earliest point. Again. Bottom of a group that
included tiny Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation ever to compete on this
stage and into the knockouts for the first time.
By signing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema as part of
a spectacular recruitment drive in recent years, Saudi Arabia has been a major
disruptor of club soccer. But on the international stage it still has a long
way to go eight years out from hosting the World Cup in 2034.
Qatar, the host four years ago, is also on its way home after just three games,
so too are the other gulf nations Iran and Iraq. Compared to the success of
African teams at this World Cup, with nine out of 10 advancing to the round of
32, gulf nations are struggling mightily to make their mark.
A goalless draw against Cape Verde ended Saudi Arabia's hopes of advancing from
the group phase for the first time since 1994.
"It was not what we wanted because when playing in such a match against a team
that is more or less the same level as us, our performance was not good. So
this gives rise to concern," Saudi coach Georgios Donis said.
Qatar made history with its first point at a World Cup, scoring a dramatic late
equalizer against Switzerland. But it was another disappointingly early exit
after it was eliminated just two games into its home tournament in 2022.
"I think that they show that at least we were able to compete in these kind of
matches," coach Julen Lopetegui said.
The appointment of Lopetegui --- the former Spain and Real Madrid coach --- is
evidence of the type of investment Qatar has made to try to boost its
performance on the global stage. Unlike Saudi Arabia, it has not embarked on
such an audacious drive to attract aging stars from Europe to its domestic
league.
Despite a population of 3 million people and only around 300,000 citizens, it
has managed to develop enough homegrown players to win back-to-back Asian Cups
in recent years and assert its dominance on a region that includes powers like
Japan and South Korea.
But it has not been able to translate those performances to the World Cup, and
such an early exit marks a disappointment less than four years after hosting
the tournament and spending billions of dollars to create eight
state-of-the-art stadiums.
"You compare with other countries ... for sure we know who we are," said
Lopetegui. "But at the same time I think that this is one little country but
with a big passion, a big investment ... we have to improve every day and they
did this.
"We look to the future being optimistic about this for sure."
It's all about the future for Saudi Arabia, too, after winning the right to
host the World Cup in 2034.
It has been on a mission to wield influence in sports around the world, from
buying Premier League Newcastle to launching LIV Golf and hosting world title
boxing matches and Formula 1.
The World Cup would be its standout achievement as it looks to move away from
its heavy reliance on oil and explore other revenue-generating sectors.
It will want its national team to make a statement at its home tournament and
while superstar signings like Ronaldo have raised the profile of its league,
the hope is that they will also raise standards.
Yet after pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history by beating
eventual champion Argentina four years ago, there was no standout moment this
time --- failing to advance beyond the group phase for the sixth time in a row.
"When we have these stars in the Arabian League, I think that the more
competitive the competition, the better our players will be," said Donis. "But
it's different when we're playing for the national team because in the national
team, these experiences, there needs to be a certain mentality."
Focus on development of homegrown talent is clear as 2034 approaches.
Star signings from overseas have slowed and some big names, including Neymar,
have departed. U.S. Soccer's sporting director Matt Crocker was lured away to
head up talent development in Saudi Arabia and youth investment is said to have
doubled over the past three years.
If Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been disruptors with their sudden mega spending,
Iran has been competing in World Cups since 1978.
It had to contend with difficulties regarding preparation and travel in the
wake of war with the United States and only narrowly missed out on advancing as
a best third place team after three draws. In seven appearances at the World
Cup it has never gone beyond the groups.
Likewise for Iraq in its two appearances 40 years apart.
At a time when a supersized 48-team World Cup has opportunities for the likes
of Cape Verde and Congo to make history, gulf nations are still waiting for
their moment.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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See more of AP's World Cup coverage here
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