Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification

Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
Saudi Arabia's midfielder #10 Salem al-Dawsari celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group C football match between Saudi Arabia and China at the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on March 20, 2025. (File/AFP)
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Updated 15 October 2025
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Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification

Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
  • Kingdom will make seventh appearance in next year’s tournament hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Kingdom will make their seventh appearance in next year’s tournament, which will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

Prince Abdulaziz, who also heads the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, lauded the team and staff, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

“The wise leadership has provided every means to keep the Kingdom’s flag flying high at international sporting events, including the world’s greatest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup.”

He said preparations will now focus on ensuring a strong performance next year.

Saudi Arabia secured a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday with a goalless draw against Iraq in Jeddah, in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers.

The hard-fought point was enough to give the Green Falcons top spot in Group B and guarantee their appearance at the finals.

The Green Falcons played in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, with the team recording a historic group stage win against eventual champions Argentina.


Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
Updated 10 November 2025
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Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025

Riyadh to host PIF Saudi International as part of Riyadh Season 2025
  • Joaquin Niemann returns to Saudi capital to defend title he won last year
  • Dustin Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament

RIYADH: Golf Saudi has officially announced the launch of the 2025 PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, a major sporting event taking place as part of Riyadh Season 2025.

This year’s edition brings a new and exceptional twist, with the introduction of the WOW Festival — an immersive celebration combining world-class golf, luxury cars, and live music, offering a unique experience that blends sport, entertainment and culture in one of the highlights of Riyadh Season 2025.

Golf enthusiasts can look forward to seeing some of the sport’s biggest names, including Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton, and Dustin Johnson, as they compete in the season finale of the International Series on the Asian Tour.

The PIF Saudi International is likely to be one of the standout experiences of the Riyadh Season 2025.

Ticket sales are now open for fans via Webook.com, with the tournament to be held Nov. 19-22 at Riyadh Golf Club.

Defending champion Niemann will return this November after securing a dramatic victory in a three-way, two-hole playoff last year to claim the title and top the International Series rankings. The 26-year-old has been in dominant form, capturing seven titles in the LIV Golf League, including five this season.

Johnson, a two-time winner of the PIF Saudi International (2021, 2022), will make his sixth appearance at the tournament, while Ryder Cup star Hatton returns after an impressive debut last year, where he finished fifth.

Niemann said: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Riyadh to defend my title at the PIF Saudi International. Last year’s win was a special moment in my career, and the atmosphere at Riyadh Golf Club was incredible. The course sets up really well for my game, and with such a strong field again this year, it’s going to be an exciting challenge.”

Golf Saudi’s vision is to be the catalyst for Saudi Arabia to become an exceptional golfing nation. In addition to delivering world class events such as the PIF Saudi International, Golf Saudi delivers world-class facilities, operational excellence, and implementation of best practices at its impressive portfolio of events.

The tournament is the last of nine elevated events on The International Series calendar this season. The Asian Tour-sanctioned tournaments provide a direct pathway for players from all over the world into the LIV Golf League. The champion and runner-up of the season-ending International Series Rankings will secure a spot on the 2026 LIV Golf League roster.

This is the second year the tournament will be held at Riyadh Golf Club, the home of Golf Saudi and is the Saudi capital’s premier golf course. Its par-72 championship course is set across 7,434 yards of undulating fairways and has played host to many of the Kingdom’s leading tournaments, including the Saudi Open presented by PIF, the Aramco Team Series Riyadh, and the Aramco Saudi Ladies International.

The PIF Saudi International moved to the Asian Tour circuit in 2022 as part of a new partnership and this year has attracted a stellar family of co-sponsors including Riyadh Season, tournament partners SHG, GIB, Al-Hammadi Hospitals Group, Saddik & Mohamed Attar, and Rolex.

To buy tickets for the PIF Saudi International, please visit www.saudiinternational.com

For more information about the tournament and future Golf Saudi events, visit Golf Saudi.