Mosquera, Hendry seal FIFA World Cup spot, Iraq duo's dream still alive

The end of the latest international break saw yet more of our Roshn Saudi League stars celebrating qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while others still have a pathway to the global finals next summer.

On Tuesday night, Al Ettifaq defender Jack Hendry was part of the Scotland squad who dramatically defeated Denmark in Edinburgh to seal a place at football’s showpiece for the first time in almost three decades.

Then, later in the night - or early Wednesday Saudi Arabian time - Hendry was joined by Al Fayha goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, who play a pivotal part in Panama's 3-0 victory at home to El Salvador.

With the win, Panama finished top of Group A in the final round of CONCACAF qualification to book an automatic spot at the FIFA World Cup.

And, although there remains some work to do, Iraq saw off the UAE in the AFC play-off, meaning Al Riyadh’s Ibrahim Bayesh and Al Najmah's Ali Jassim remain in the mix for a FIFA World Cup debut next year.

Iraq came through the second leg of their continental shootout in thrilling style, the hosts converting a 107th-minute penalty to triumph 2-1 in the match in Basra and 3-2 on aggregate.

The Lions of Mesopotamia, who last appeared at a global finals in 1986, must now negotiate next March’s inter-continental play-offs to seal a berth at the tournament in North America.

There, they could face Al Kholood defender Shanquille Pinas, whose Suriname side take their place among the six teams having finished runners-up to Panama.

Meanwhile, Al Qadsiah’s Mateo Retegui (Italy), Al Ahli’s Merih Demiral (Turkiye), Al Ittihad’s Mario Mitaj (Albania) and Al Ettifaq's Marek Rodek and Ondrej Duda and Al Kholood’s Norbert Gyomber (all Slovakia) could still get through to the FIFA World Cup via the UEFA play-offs next March.

The same applies to NEOM Sports Club’s Marcin Bulka, who will hope to recover in time from his season-long injury to feature in goal for Poland.

Whoever makes it to the 2026 tournament will feature alongside a host of RSL stars who have already ensured their participation, including those involved with the Saudi Arabia national team.