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Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia ... The Associated Press June 29, 2026, 3:44 AM ATLANTA (AP) — Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from theWorld 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 includedtiny 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 aspectacular recruitment drivein 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. On Sunday, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal resigned. Taking full responsibility for the failed World Cup campaign, he said that stepping aside will allow for a “new phase” of leadership within Saudi football. Qatar, the host four years ago, is also on its way home after just three games, so too are the other …

Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia ... Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar James Robson Associated Press Published: June 28, 2026 at 3:59 PM Full Screen 1 / 5 Previous photo Next photo Saudi Arabia players react after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Saudi Arabia's Ali Lajami reacts to a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Qatar's Almoez Ali reacts after his team's loss to Bosnia in the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) applauds the crowd as he warms-up before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. S…

FIFA World Cup 2026: Saudi Arabia, Qatar Failings Show Money Cannot Buy ... Saudi Arabia went 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 A goalless draw vs Cape Verde ended Saudi Arabia’s hopes of advancing from the group phase Qatar too made an early exit from the group phase On Sunday, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal resigned Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into football 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 football. But on the international stage it still has a long way to go eight years out from …

Money can't buy World Cup success for Saudi Arabia and Qatar - NBC New York 2026 World Cup Money can't buy World Cup success for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar The 2022 and 2034 World Cup hosts failed to advance from the group stage. By James Robson | The Associated Press • Published 4 hours ago • Updated 4 hours ago BOOKMARKER NBC Universal, Inc. Players of Saudi Arabia react during the group H match between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston, the United States, June 26, 2026. 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 …

Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia ... 1 of 5 Saudi Arabia players react after the World Cup Group H soccer match between Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) 2 of 5 Saudi Arabia's Ali Lajami reacts to a 0-0 draw with Cape Verde after the World Cup Group H soccer match in Houston, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) 3 of 5 Qatar's Almoez Ali reacts after his team's loss to Bosnia in the World Cup Group B soccer match in Seattle, Wednesday, June 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) 4 of 5 Iran's Shoja Khalilzadeh (4) reacts at the end of the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) 5 of 5 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo (7) applauds the crowd as he warms-up before the World Cup Group K soccer match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami Gardens, Fla., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar BY Associated Press Atlanta PUBLISHED 3:59 PM ET Jun. 28, 2026 PUBLISHED June 28, 2026 @3:59 PM SHARE ATLANTA (AP) — Gulf countries li…

Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia ... Spending billions of dollars and attracting some of soccer’s biggest stars doesn’t guarantee success at the World Cup ATLANTA --Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from theWorld 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 includedtiny 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 aspectacular recruitment drivein 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. On Sunday, Saudi Arabian Football Federation president Yasser Al-Misehal resigned. Taking full responsibility for the failed World Cup campaign, he said that stepping aside will allow for a “new phase” of leadership within Saudi football. Qatar, the host four years ago, i…

Money can’t buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar <p>ATLANTA &#8212; Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from the World Cup, proving that big money doesn&#8217;t guarantee success on the sport&#8217;s biggest stage.</p>

Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia ... 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 …