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) — San Antonio
· 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 Terrell Hills News
The early exits of Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar from the World Cup may seem like a distant concern for residents of Terrell Hills , but it highlights the challenges of building a successful sports program, a issue that also affects local schools and community teams in the San Antonio area. The significant investment in soccer infrastructure and talent by these countries has not yielded the desired results, serving as a reminder that success in sports requires a combination of factors, including strong leadership, effective training, and a solid support system. As Terrell Hills residents watch the World Cup, they may reflect on the similar efforts being made to develop sports programs in their own community, and consider what lessons can be learned from the experiences of these Gulf nations. The focus on developing homegrown talent, as seen in Qatar's approach, may be an area of interest for local sports enthusiasts, who can apply similar strategies to nurture young athletes in the San Antonio area.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
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) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by James Robson, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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