Saudi Arabia secured qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup on Tuesday
A 1-0 win against Japan meant that the Saudis will participate in their fifth FIFA World Cup
Saudi Arabia joined Iran, Japan and Korea Republic as the Asian representatives in Russia
Saudi Arabia secured their place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ next summer following a 1-0 win against Japan in their last AFC Round 3 Group B match on Tuesday.
The Saudis finished in second place in the group behind Japan with 19 points, but they secured their place in the finals thanks to the goal difference ahead of Australia who also have 19 points.
Saudi Arabia owe their win to substitute Fahad Al Muwallad who gave the upper hand for the home side at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah and in front of more than 60,000 spectators.
Russia 2018 will be the fifth appearance for Saudi Arabia in the FIFA World Cup finals after qualifying for the first time back in 1994. They featured in three consecutive finals afterwards (1998, 2002 and 2006) before missing the last two editions in South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
Saudi Arabia publish a display of their World Cup participation history after sealing the victory in Jeddah