Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Predictions
Saudi Arabia and Iraq meet at Alinma Stadium in their final Gulf Cup Group A fixture.
The hosts have won twice without conceding, and will be keen to secure top spot in the section.
I have my stake on Saudi Arabia to edge past Iraq on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia to Edge Group A Decider
- Saudi Arabia won their last 4 of their last 5 matches (Gulf Cup Group Phase)
- Saudi Arabia won their last 3 home matches
- Saudi Arabia won their last match against Iraq (Gulf Cup)
- Iraq lost 6 of their last 10 matches
Saudi Arabia Edge Iraq in Recent H2H Record
Saudi Arabia and Iraq have met on nine occasions since 2013. Saudi Arabia won five games while Iraq secured three victories. Their only draw was a goalless World Cup qualifier in Jeddah in October 2025.
Nawaf Al-Aqidi's injury-time save ensured Saudi Arabia’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia Find Form at Home
Saudi Arabia complete their Gulf Cup Group A campaign with a place in the semi-finals already secured after a 3-0 win against Oman on Saturday.
Georgios Donis’s side took control in a dominant first-half display. Firas Al-Buraikan bagged twice in the first half, either side of Hassan Kadesh’s goal, to put the hosts 3-0 up at the break.
Oman had chances to score, but the host nation held firm to secure a second successive win and clean sheet. Final xG totals of 1.72 for Oman and 1.85 for Saudi Arabia reflected the competitive nature of the contest.
A disappointing World Cup group-stage exit had increased the pressure on Donis, but back-to-back wins have lifted Saudi spirits.
The hosts have been relatively solid this summer, securing three wins and three draws from seven games played since June. A 4-0 defeat against Spain at the World Cup is their only defeat in that period.
Three-time winners of the competition, Saudi Arabia have not lifted the trophy since their 2004 success in Kuwait.
Iraq Snatch Dramatic Win Against Kuwait
Iraq come into Tuesday’s Gulf Cup Group A decider in high spirits after a dramatic 3-2 win over Kuwait on Saturday.
The Lions of Mesopotamia twice surrendered the lead before Karar Nabeel struck nine minutes into stoppage time to seal a vital 3-2 win.
Kuwait could consider themselves unfortunate not to take at least a point. Iraq scored three times from an xG total of just 0.89, while the Kuwaitis finished with 2.15 xG.
Graham Arnold’s men now stand on the brink of qualification after a 1-1 draw against Oman in their first Group A fixture. A point will secure their place in the semi-finals while they could top the section with victory on Tuesday.
Iraq had lacked form ahead of this competition after a difficult World Cup where they lost all three group games.
Before their narrow victory against Kuwait, Arnold’s men had failed to win any of six previous fixtures.
Saudi Arabia vs Iraq Squads & Team News
Saudi Arabia Squad
Goalkeepers: Abdulquddus Atiah, Hamed Youssef, Mohammed Al-Owais, Nawaf Al-Aqidi
Defenders: Abdulelah Al-Amri, Hassan Kadesh, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Jehad Thikri, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Mohammed Mehzri, Moteb Al-Harbi, Nawaf Bu Washl, Rayane Hamidou, Zakaria Al-Hawsawi
Midfielders: Alaa Al-Hajji, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Mohamed Kanno, Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Mukhtar Ali, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Sultan Mandash, Ziyad Al-Johani
Forwards: Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Abdullah Al-Salem, Firas Al-Buraikan, Hamam Al-Hamami
Head coach Donis is unable to call on three players for Saudi Arabia’s final Group A fixture. Ala'a Al-Hejji (knee), Ali Lajami (hamstring) and Hassan Kadesh (knock) are ruled out.
Al-Buraikan will retain his place as the focal point in the Saudi attack.
Donis was pleased with the display in last weekend’s win against Oman.
“I think we put on a great performance and excellent positioning in the first half, and when we lost the ball, we all pressed as a group, and we waited for the right time to score goals,” Donis said in the post-match press conference.
Iraq Squad
Goalkeepers: Ahmed Basil, Hussein Hassan, Mohammed Salih
Defenders: Merchas Doski, Zaid Tahseen, Maitham Jabbar, Ahmed Yahya, Mustafa Saadoon, Akam Hashim, Mohammed Dlawar, Josef Al-Imam
Midfielders: Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim, Zidane Iqbal, Mohammed Qasim, Hasan Abdulkareem, Zaid Ismail, Karrar Nabeel, Ahmed Qasem, Jussef Nasrawe, Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdulrazzaq Qasim
Forwards: Aymen Hussein, Ali Al-Hamadi, Saif Rasheed
Iraq boss Arnold is likely to retain confidence in most of the same side that edged past Kuwait.
Ahmed Yahya could earn a start after providing an assist in his second-half substitute appearance last time out.
Hussein Ali is a notable absentee with a hernia issue.
Iraqi Football Association president Younis Mahmoud praised the players’ response to twice losing the lead against Kuwait and promised them a substantial reward after their 3-2 win.
“Congratulations, boys. You were heroes today, and most importantly, you came back into the game.”
“I trust you, and I see you fighting for the team,” Mahmoud told the players after the match.