local
Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar
By James Robson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 28, 2026
· 5 min read
Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from the World Cup, proving that big money doesn’t guarantee success on the sport's biggest stage.Saudi Arabia is out at the earliest point. Again. Bottom of a group tha...
Key takeaway But on the international stage it still has a long way to go eight years out from hosting the World Cup in 2034.
Why this matters in Tomball News
The struggles of Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the World Cup have implications for the Houston area, home to a significant population of residents with ties to these countries. As the region prepares to host various international sporting events, the example of these nations serves as a cautionary tale about the limitations of investing heavily in infrastructure and talent. The fact that African teams have experienced significant success in the tournament, with nine out of 10 advancing to the round of 32, may also have implications for the local community, which has a growing African population. Additionally, the experience of Qatar, which hosted the World Cup in 2022, may provide valuable lessons for Houston as it considers hosting large-scale international events in the future, particularly in terms of developing homegrown talent and building a strong foundation for success.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Tomball News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar that poured a fortune into soccer and infrastructure experienced unceremonious exits from the World Cup, proving that big money doesn’t guarantee success on the sport's biggest stage.Saudi Arabia is out at the earliest point. Again. Bottom of a group tha...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for Tomball News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Robson, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how Tomball News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Tomball News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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