Money can't buy success in World Cup for gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar

AI Summary

Gulf nations Saudi Arabia and Qatar invested heavily in soccer infrastructure but experienced early and disappointing exits from the World Cup. Saudi Arabia was eliminated at the group stage, trailing behind smaller nations like Cape Verde.

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. Bottom of a group that included tiny Cape Verde, the third-smallest nation ever to compete on this stage and into the knockouts for the first time.