Football fans in the Western Region will turn their attention tomorrow, Sunday, to the Olympic Village Stadium, which will host crucial and intense matches in the third round of the Jeddah 2026 tournament. This round is of paramount importance as it is the final stage of the group stage, determining which teams will advance to the knockout rounds. There is great anticipation among fans for the Mecca derby and the top-of-the-table clash between the two national teams.
The Mecca derby: A battle for second place
The excitement kicks off at 8:45 PM, as the referee blows the starting whistle for the highly anticipated Makkah derby between Noor Academy and Shabab Al-Ezz. This match concludes the Group F fixtures and is a must-win for both teams as they vie for the second qualifying spot.
Both teams enter the match with their sights set on second place, especially after Al-Salam University of Jeddah secured the top spot in the group with a perfect 6 points, having defeated all their opponents by the same score (1-0). This situation puts Noor Academy and Shabab Al-Ezz under considerable pressure, as each strives to snatch the runner-up position at all costs to guarantee their continued participation in the tournament. The runner-up of this group is scheduled to face the winner of Group E in the Round of 16, while the winner of Group F will face the runner-up of Group E, further increasing the importance of the final group standings.
The Guards summit: The title holders face their destiny
The highly anticipated football match at 10:40 PM will reach its peak as the final matches of Group B take place, with the National Guard team from the Western Sector, the 2025 champions, facing the Royal Guard team. This match is considered an early final due to the sensitivity of the situation and the complex qualification scenarios.
The National Guard team currently leads the group with 3 points, tied with the Jeddah Police team, but the National Guard has the advantage thanks to their direct victory over the Police team (2-1). Meanwhile, the Royal Guard team enters the match knowing that their previous loss to the Police team by the same score (1-2) has put their hopes in jeopardy.
Mathematically, the defending champions (National Guard) have two chances to qualify: a win or a draw, giving them a psychological and tactical advantage on the field. In contrast, the Royal Guard team has no option but to win to revive their hopes of securing a qualifying spot and chasing first or second place. It's worth noting that the roadmap for the upcoming rounds places the winner of Group B in a tough match against the runner-up of Group A, while the runner-up of Group B will have to face the winner of Group A, making the battle for first place a strategic objective to avoid tougher matches early on.
The importance of the championship and its sporting impact
The Jeddah 2026 tournament is a significant sporting event that fosters a spirit of fair competition among participating teams, whether representing government or military sectors or private sports academies. These tournaments contribute to raising the players' technical level and discovering new talent, in addition to strengthening social bonds among the region's residents, making the Olympic Village stadium a preferred destination for fans eager for genuine football.
