Saudi Arabia vs Iraq prediction 14.10.2025 | World Cup Qualifiers
Saudi Arabia
Kick off:
Date:
Iraq
1
1.76
X
3.54
2
5.24
Contents
- Competition: World Cup Qualifiers
- Date: 14th October 2025
- Kick-off: 19:45 UK / 20:45 CEST
- Venue: King Abdullah Sports City
Saudi Arabia and Iraq will face off in Jeddah in the final game of the fourth round of the World Cup Qualifiers, with both sides looking to make it two wins out of two. Automatic qualification for the 2026 finals is only available to the group winners, while the second-placed side will progress to the fifth round to compete for the final playoff spot.
Both sides only narrowly won their first game, so we anticipate a close match, although the bookies have made the hosts favourites. Read our Saudi Arabia vs. Iraq preview for all the key information about the fixture, including our predictions and the latest team news.
Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Iraq
1 : 3
Saudi Arabia
Gulf Cup of Nations
-
Saudi Arabia
0 : 2
Iraq
Gulf Cup of Nations
-
Saudi Arabia
1 : 1
Iraq
Friendly International
-
Iraq
4 : 1
Saudi Arabia
Friendly International
-
Saudi Arabia
1 : 0
Iraq
WC Qualification Asia
-
Iraq
1 : 2
Saudi Arabia
WC Qualification Asia
The two sides have faced each other nine times since 2013, only two of which were World Cup Qualification Asia fixtures. The Saudis won both of these fixtures and had a better overall record over the nine fixtures, registering six wins. Iraq only managed two wins, while one game ended in a draw. The average number of goals scored per game during this period was 2.67.
Saudi Arabia team overview
Saudi Arabia have not lost since their 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarter-final in June.
The Falcons beat North Macedonia 2-1 and drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic in two friendly matches in September, and began the October international break with a 3-2 victory over Indonesia.
Hervé Renard’s team were behind after only 11 minutes, but goals from Feras Albrikan and Waheb Saleh completed the comeback. Mohamed Kanno was sent off in stoppage time and is expected to miss Tuesday’s game.
Albrikan's brace in that match took his tally in World Cup qualifying to five, and the Al-Ahli forward is expected to keep his place up front alongside captain Salem Aldawsari.
Last matches of Saudi Arabia
-
Indonesia
2 : 3
Saudi Arabia
WC Qualification Asia
-
Czech Republic
1 : 1
Saudi Arabia
Friendly International
-
Saudi Arabia
2 : 1
North Macedonia
Friendly International
-
Mexico
2 : 0
Saudi Arabia
CONCACAF Gold Cup
-
Saudi Arabia
0 : 1
United States
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Saudi Arabia lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Nawaf Alaqidi
Defenders
-
14
Moteb Al-Harbi
-
5
Hassan Altambakti
-
3
Jehad Thakri
-
13
Nawaf Boushal
Midfielders
-
15
Abdullah Al-Khaibari
-
7
Musab Fahd Aljuwayr
-
6
Nasser Al-Dawsari
Forwards
-
10
Salem Aldawsari
-
9
Feras Albrikan
-
18
Waheb Saleh
Iraq team overview
Meanwhile, Iraq will bring a run of two successive competitive victories into Tuesday’s match. Graham Arnold’s team narrowly beat Jordan 1-0 in their final third-round match, and began the fourth round with another 1-0 victory against Indonesia.
Another win on Tuesday will guarantee them automatic promotion to the 2026 World Cup, which would be their first since 1938.
Centre-back Zaid Tahseen, who has played in 11 World Cup qualifiers and scored in one, will be unavailable following his red card in the win over Indonesia.
Last matches of Iraq
-
Thailand
0 : 1
Iraq
King's Cup
-
Iraq
2 : 1
Hong Kong
King's Cup
-
Jordan
0 : 1
Iraq
WC Qualification Asia
-
Iraq
0 : 2
Korea Republic
WC Qualification Asia
-
Palestine
2 : 1
Iraq
WC Qualification Asia
Iraq lineup
Goalkeeper
-
12
Jalal Hassan
Defenders
-
3
Hussein Ali
-
2
Rebin Sulaka
-
6
Manaf Younis
-
23
Merchas Doski
Midfielders
-
8
Ibrahim Bayesh
-
19
Kevin Yakob
-
16
Amir Al-Ammari
-
13
Bashar Rasan
Forwards
-
9
Sherko Kareem Gubari
-
10
Mohanad Ali
Prediction
Iraq have shown improvement under Graham, but they still lack the ruthlessness in front of goal and the experience to consistently compete against the best teams in Asia. Buoyed by their comeback triumph over Indonesia and playing at home, Saudi Arabia are likely to control proceedings and claim a vital win.
Three reasons we expect Saudi Arabia to win this game
- Saudi Arabia have won three of their last five World Cup qualifiers.
- Iraq have won only two of their last seven competitive matches.
- Saudia Arabia won their last two meetings with Iraq 5-1 on aggregate.
Main prediction Saudi Arabia - Iraq
Saudi Arabia to win
Best Odds:
Megapari
1.76
Saudi Arabia vs Iraq standings in WC Qualification Asia
| Group A | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 - 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Iran | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 - 0 | +2 | 6 |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 - 2 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Korea DPR | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 - 3 | -1 | 1 |
| 5 | Qatar | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 - 5 | -2 | 1 |
| 6 | Kyrgyz Republic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 - 4 | -2 | 0 |
| Group B | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jordan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 - 2 | +2 | 4 |
| 2 | Korea Republic | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 - 1 | +2 | 4 |
| 3 | Iraq | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 - 0 | +1 | 4 |
| 4 | Kuwait | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 - 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Palestine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 - 3 | -2 | 1 |
| 6 | Oman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 - 4 | -3 | 0 |
| Group C | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 12 - 0 | +12 | 6 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 - 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 3 | Bahrain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 - 5 | -4 | 3 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 - 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | Australia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 - 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 6 | China PR | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 - 9 | -8 | 0 |