Relentless Rain Halts Saudi Arabia vs UAE FIFA Arab Cup Clash
The third-place match of the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 was slated between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on December 18, 2025. The encounter took place at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar. Saudi Arabia, known as the Green Falcons, faced a setback in the semi-finals, losing 0-1 to Jordan. Meanwhile, UAE was bested by Morocco with a scoreline of 0-3.
Match Delays Due to Heavy Rain
As the match commenced, heavy rain began to pour during halftime, causing significant flooding in sections of the stadium, including the pitch. Officials were prompted to consider various options for assessing the field conditions, ultimately deciding to postpone the match.
Timeline of Events
- 05:07 PM: The match kicked off, with both teams showing aggressive intent early on.
- 05:43 PM: The first half concluded without any goals, despite several attempts from each side.
- 06:00 PM: The match faced its first major interruption due to heavy rain.
- 06:31 PM: Rain intensified, putting further pressure on the already compromised pitch.
- 09:19 PM: Match postponed as officials confirmed the pitch remained unplayable.
Player Absences and Expectations
Saudi Arabia began the match as the favorites but did so without defender Waleed Al Ahmed, who was suspended. The team was keen on securing a bronze medal against their rivals, UAE.
Future Updates
With the match currently suspended, fans and football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting updates regarding the resumption of this thrilling Arab Cup clash. As the weather continues to dominate the scene, the anticipation for the match to resume only heightens.
Viewing Options
Although the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 received official recognition in 2021, it was not available for live streaming on the FIFA+ platform. Fans could follow the event through the Alkass YouTube channel and Shoof app and website.
This third-place match between Saudi Arabia and UAE underscores the unpredictable challenges that can arise in sports. With the torrential rain putting a halt to play, both teams will have to remain ready for when the match is set to continue.
