Saudi Arabia Secures Spot in 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Dramatic Win Over China

Saudi Arabia’s U-20 national team has officially booked its place in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup following a thrilling 1-0 victory over China in the quarterfinals of the AFC U-20 Championship.

With the match seemingly destined for extra time, Ammar Al-Yahibi emerged as the hero, netting a stunning goal in the final moments of stoppage time. His decisive strike not only sealed Saudi Arabia’s progression to the semifinals but also confirmed the nation’s 10th appearance in the prestigious youth tournament.

The high-stakes encounter, played in China, was a closely contested battle, with Saudi goalkeeper Hamed Youssef playing a pivotal role in maintaining a clean sheet. The tension escalated when China was awarded a penalty, but Youssef’s crucial save kept Saudi Arabia’s hopes alive and ultimately paved the way for victory.

Saudi Arabia’s campaign in the AFC U-20 Championship began with a strong opening win against Jordan, followed by a narrow loss to Iraq. However, the team rebounded with a crucial victory over North Korea to secure a spot in the knockout stage.

The quarterfinal triumph against China not only propelled Saudi Arabia into the semifinals but also ensured their qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, set to be held in September 2025. This marks the nation’s first appearance in the tournament since 2019, when it was hosted in Poland.

Under the leadership of head coach Marcos Soares, the team’s starting lineup featured Hamed Youssef in goal, with Nawaf Al-Ghulaimish, Saud Haroun, Mohammed Barnawi, and Awad Aman forming the defensive line. The midfield was anchored by Bassem Hazzazi, Abdulmalik Al-Harbi, Farhat Al-Shamrani, and Hussein Al-Raqwani, while Saad Haqwi and Thamer Al-Khaibri led the attack.

As the final whistle blew, the Saudi squad erupted in celebration, acknowledging their hard-fought journey and the achievement of securing their place on the global stage. With momentum on their side, the young Green Falcons now set their sights on further glory in the AFC U-20 Championship semifinals.