UAE and Saudi National Teams Awarded Joint Bronze Medal in Arab Cup

Third-place match in the Arab Cup canceled due to rain; bronze medal awarded jointly to UAE and Saudi Arabia.

SUMMARY

The third-place match between the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the 2025 Arab Cup was canceled due to rain, with both teams awarded the bronze medal jointly after a goalless draw in the first half.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Third-place match in the 2025 Arab Cup between UAE and Saudi Arabia canceled due to rain.
Both teams awarded joint third place and bronze medal after a goalless draw.
Coaches decided not to resume the match to protect player safety.
International referee Cristian Garay stopped the match due to weather conditions.
Refereeing expert Abdullah Al-Ajil emphasized that player safety is the priority.

CORE SUBJECT

Cancellation of the 2025 Arab Cup third-place match and joint bronze award

A responsible source at the UAE Football Association revealed to "Emirates Today" that the third-place match between the UAE and Saudi Arabia national teams in the 2025 Arab Cup, held today Thursday at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, was canceled due to rain. The two teams were awarded joint third place in the tournament, based on the result at the end of the first half of the match, which was a goalless draw.

It is noted that the coaches of both the UAE and Saudi national teams decided not to have their players return to the field due to the weather conditions and concerns over potential injuries caused by the rain and thunderstorms during the match.

The international referee, Chilean Cristian Garay, had decided to stop the game because of the rain and thunderstorms to ensure the safety of the players.

Meanwhile, former international referee and refereeing expert Abdullah Al-Ajil told "Emirates Today" that in such cases, player safety is the top priority for FIFA.

KEYWORDS

Arab Cup UAE Saudi Arabia football match match cancellation rain bronze medal

MENTIONED ENTITIES 7

UAE Football Association

🏛️ Organization

The governing body of football in the UAE

UAE National Team

Other

The national football team of the United Arab Emirates

Saudi National Team

Other

The national football team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Cristian Garay

👤 Person_Male

International Chilean referee

Abdullah Al-Ajil

👤 Person_Male

Former international referee and football refereeing expert

Khalifa International Stadium

📍 Location_City

The stadium where the match was held in Doha

Doha

📍 Location_City

Capital of Qatar and location of the match

KEY DECISIONS 2

Cancellation of the 2025 Arab Cup third-place match between UAE and Saudi Arabia due to rain.

Decision Maker: UAE Football Association

Status: implemented

Announced: 2025-12-18

Effective: 2025-12-18

Impact Areas:

football Arab Cup player safety

Awarding the UAE and Saudi national teams joint third place and the bronze medal.