Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s U-17 national team has officially secured a place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be hosted in Qatar later this year, after reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, currently taking place in the Kingdom.

The young Green Falcons booked their ticket with a 3-1 comeback victory over Thailand in their second Group A match, moving to six points and guaranteeing a top-two finish in the group — enough to seal World Cup qualification.

Thailand had taken the lead in the 17th minute, but Sabri Dahl equalized for Saudi Arabia, before Abdulrahman Sufyani put the hosts in front with a well-taken second. In the second half, Mukhtar Barnawi added a third to complete a convincing turnaround.

Saudi Arabia sits in Group A alongside Uzbekistan, Thailand, and China, and will now look to continue their momentum as they advance deeper into the continental tournament with their spot at the World Cup already secured.