FIFA Declares Joint 3rd Place for UAE and Saudi Arabia at Arab Cup 2025
Severe Weather Halts Playoff as FIFA Awards Joint Bronze to UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Publish date: since 3 hours Reading time: two min read
In an unusual conclusion to the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, FIFA has declared the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia joint third-place finishers after the scheduled playoff between the two Gulf rivals was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
The third-place match, planned as a showdown for the bronze medal on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Khalifa International Stadium, was abandoned after heavy thunderstorms and torrential rain rendered the pitch unplayable and raised safety concerns for players, officials and spectators.
With the fixture halted at 0-0 at the end of the first half, FIFA’s Men’s National Team Committee reviewed the situation and applied tournament regulations to determine the outcome. In its official decision, FIFA declared the match a draw, awarding both the UAE and Saudi Arabia joint third place and directing that the prize money designated for third and fourth place be combined and split equally between the two teams.
Weather-Driven Decision and Tournament Wrap-Up
The decision follows extensive delays and efforts to resume play, which were ultimately halted due to persistent rainfall at the venue. Officials emphasised that player and spectator safety was the overriding priority when cancelling the match after the conditions failed to improve.
The Arab Cup itself culminated later that day with a thrilling final, in which Morocco edged Jordan 3-2 after extra time to clinch the championship in front of fans at Lusail Stadium.
Reactions from Both Camps
Reactions from supporters of both the UAE and Saudi Arabian teams were mixed following FIFA’s announcement. While some fans expressed disappointment that the third-place game could not be contested on the pitch, many appreciated the governing body’s decision to recognise the efforts of both sides under extraordinary circumstances.
For the UAE, reaching the semifinal marked another strong showing on the regional stage, having earlier advanced beyond the group phase and competed fiercely in knockout play. Saudi Arabia also demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, further highlighting the growing competitiveness of football in the Arab world.