Will World Cup failure usher in moment of reckoning for Saudi football?

RIYADH: As the clock ticked down on Saudi Arabia’s 0-0 draw with Cabo Verde, and on their 2026 World Cup campaign, the online backlash was in full swing.

A toothless display against the first-time participants meant the national team would be packing and heading home at the end of the tournament’s group stage for the third time in a row, following similar exits in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.

This summer marked the Kingdom’s seventh World Cup appearance. Apart from its first, in 1994, also in the US, Saudi Arabia has failed to advance to the knockout stage every time.

The fallout and anger among supporters and media figures are set to be greater this time for many reasons, including heightened expectations, the growing profile of Saudi football globally, and what many see as a chronic failure to learn from past mistakes.

At Qatar 2022, Saudi Arabia kicked off their campaign with a historic 2-1 win over eventual champions Argentina, leaving the great Lionel Messi scratching his beard in bewilderment as the rest of the world hailed the Green Falcons and coach Herve Renard.

Saudi Arabia then lost to Poland and Mexico and exited the tournament, but the players were still celebrated for a result that secured their place in national soccer folklore. For many, it remains one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

This summer brought no such highlight. Higher expectations mean greater scrutiny and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, coach Georgios Donis, and the players collectively failed to deliver.

The 1-1 draw with two-time world champion Uruguay hinted at promise, but it was never fulfilled.

A devastating 4-0 loss to European champions Spain saw a feeble display from the team.

Even then, the nuances