local
Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar
By James Robson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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 The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own thriving soccer community can learn from the World Cup experiences of Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. While these countries have invested heavily in their soccer infrastructure and recruited top talent, their early exits from the tournament demonstrate that success on the international stage requires more than just financial resources. As San Antonio continues to grow its own soccer scene, with a strong presence of youth leagues and adult amateur teams, the focus should be on developing homegrown talent and building a strong foundation for the sport. The city's diverse population and strong community support for soccer make it an ideal place to foster a thriving soccer culture, one that can produce talented players who can compete at the highest levels. By prioritizing grassroots development and investment in local programs, San Antonio can build a successful soccer community that can serve as a model for other cities.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Robson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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