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The action continues in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as Saudi Arabia and Japan go head-to-head at the King Abdullah Sports City on Thursday. This will be the first meeting between the two nations since Hajime Moriyasu’s men picked up a 2-0 victory in the qualifiers back in February 2022.
Saudi Arabia got up and running in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on September 10 when they fought back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over China at the Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium.
Before that, Roberto Mancini’s men secured a second-placed finish in Group G of the second qualifying round with 13 points from six matches before playing out a 1-1 draw with Indonesia in the first outing of the third round on September 5.
With four points from the first six available, Saudi Arabia are currently second in the Group C standings, two points off Thursday’s visitors at the top of the pile.
Japan, meanwhile, maintained their perfect start to the third qualifying round last time out when they thrashed Bahrain 5-0 at the Bahrain National Stadium. This followed an emphatic 7-0 victory over China at the Saitama Stadium in their Group C curtain-raiser on September 5.
Japan head into Thursday’s clash on a run of five back-to-back victories, scoring 23 goals and keeping five clean sheets since a 2-1 loss against Iran in February’s AFC Asian Cup quarter-final clash.
Saudi Arabia vs Japan Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- With 11 wins from the last 18 meetings between the sides, Japan boast a superior record in the history of this fixture.
- Saudi Arabia have picked up six wins in that time, while the two nations have settled for a share of the spoils once.
- Japan are unbeaten in 14 straight World Cup qualifying games, picking up 13 wins and one draw since a 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in October 2021.
- Saudi Arabia have lost just one of their last 10 matches in the World Cup qualifiers while claiming six wins and three draws since March 2022.
Saudi Arabia vs Japan Prediction
Japan have enjoyed a blistering qualifying campaign but they will need to show their mettle against Saudi Arabia, who have proven tough to crack.
While we expect a cagey affair at the King Abdullah Sports City, we are tipping Moriyasu’s men to come away with the desired result.
Prediction: Saudi Arabia 1-2 Japan
Saudi Arabia vs Japan Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Japan to win
Tip 2: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have been fewer than five bookings in five of the last six meetings between the two teams)
Over 10.5 corners - No (There have also been fewer than 11 corner kicks in their last five encounters)
