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Officially.. FIFA Announces Saudi Arabia and UAE Share Third Place in Arab Cup

December 18, 2025 shorouknews.com
Officially.. FIFA Announces Saudi Arabia and UAE Share Third Place in Arab Cup

FIFA announces Saudi Arabia and UAE share third place in Arab Cup after match cancellation due to rain.

SUMMARY

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) officially announced that Saudi Arabia and the UAE share third place in the Arab Cup after the match was canceled due to heavy rain in Doha.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Cancellation of the third-place playoff match between Saudi Arabia and UAE due to heavy rain.
  • FIFA declares the match a 0-0 draw and the third place shared between the two teams.
  • Prize money for third and fourth places to be equally distributed between the teams.

CORE SUBJECT

Determining third place in the Arab Cup

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has finalized the fate of the third-place playoff match of the Arab Cup between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which was previously canceled today due to heavy rainfall in the Qatari capital, Doha.

The organizing committee of the Arab Cup had decided to cancel the third-place match between Saudi Arabia and the UAE after postponing the second half due to heavy rain.

FIFA stated in an official statement: "After suspending the third-place match in the Arab Cup between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, then canceling it, and according to FIFA's regulations and statutes, the FIFA Men's National Teams Committee decided the following: The match is declared a goalless draw (0-0), and the third place is shared between the two teams. Additionally, the prize money allocated for the third and fourth places will be combined and distributed equally between the participating teams."

The first half of the match ended in a goalless draw, and the second half did not start due to the heavy rain.

Qatari media revealed that the referees requested to resume the match after a period of suspension, but both technical teams refused.

FIFA explained in an earlier statement today: "Although the pitch maintained its full operational integrity and the playing surface remained in good condition, the referee and match officials took this measure to ensure the safety of all players, fans, and staff at the stadium."

KEYWORDS

FIFA Arab Cup Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates third-place playoff match heavy rain Doha

MENTIONED ENTITIES 4

International Federation of Association Football

🏛️ Organization

The global governing body of football

Saudi Arabia

📍 Location_Country

National football team

United Arab Emirates

📍 Location_Country

National football team

Doha

📍 Location_City

Capital of Qatar and tournament venue

NOTABLE QUOTES 2

"After suspending the third-place match in the Arab Cup between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, then canceling it, and according to FIFA's regulations and statutes, the FIFA Men's National Teams Committee decided the following: The match is declared a goalless draw (0-0), and the third place is shared between the two teams. Additionally, the prize money allocated for the third and fourth places will be combined and distributed equally between the participating teams."

— International Federation of Association Football

Context: Official statement regarding the fate of the third-place match in the Arab Cup

"Although the pitch maintained its full operational integrity and the playing surface remained in good condition, the referee and match officials took this measure to ensure the safety of all players, fans, and staff at the stadium."

— FIFA

Context: Earlier statement explaining the reasons for canceling the match

KEY DECISIONS 1

Declare the match a 0-0 draw and share third place between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Decision Maker: FIFA Men's National Teams Committee
Status: Activated
Announced: 2025-12-18
Effective: 2025-12-18
Impact Areas:
Determining third place in the Arab Cup Distribution of prize money