The Jeddah 2026 football tournament witnessed a significant escalation in excitement and competitiveness, with new teams securing their places in the Round of 16, resulting in high-stakes matches eagerly anticipated by sports fans in the Western Region. The final round was characterized by a high number of goals and meticulous tactical calculations to determine the top two positions.
Noor Academy wins the Mecca derby
In one of the tournament's most exciting matches, Noor Academy secured their place in the Round of 16 after finishing second in Group F. This qualification was well-deserved following a resounding 4-0 victory over Al-Ezz Youth. The match, held Sunday evening at the Olympic Village stadium, was dubbed the "Mecca Derby," with the academy dominating the proceedings.
With this resounding victory, Noor Academy team raised its tally to 4 points, coming behind the strong leader, “Salam University” team from Jeddah, which topped the group with a perfect score (6 points), reflecting the strength of the competition in this iron group.
The National Guard continues its title defense campaign
In Group B, the National Guard Western Sector team, the 2025 champions, continued their successful run towards retaining their title. They secured their place in the Round of 16 after a marathon match against the Royal Guard, which ended in a 2-2 draw. This result was enough to raise the National Guard's points tally to 4, guaranteeing them the top spot in the group on goal difference and head-to-head record. They were joined by the Jeddah Police team, who finished second in the group with 3 points, thus confirming both teams' worthiness of their place in the knockout stages.
The importance of the championship and the sporting context
The Jeddah 2026 Championship holds special significance in local sporting circles, serving as a vital platform that brings together government teams, private academies, and corporate teams, fostering a spirit of athletic competition and contributing to talent discovery. This championship is part of the Kingdom's dynamic sporting movement, providing a professional and competitive environment that enhances the physical fitness and technical readiness of participating teams. The upcoming knockout matches will be a true test of the abilities of both coaches and players.
Schedule of anticipated Round of 16 matches
The final group stage results have produced some fiery encounters in the round of 16, where ambition will clash with experience in the following matches:
- Wednesday, February 18: Al-Ustoura team from Mecca (Group E leader) kicks off the matches with a fiery encounter against Noor Academy (Group F runner-up), in a must-win game. On the same day, the Ministry of Sports team from the Mecca region (Group A leader) will face Jeddah Police (Group B runner-up).
- Thursday, February 19: Thursday will witness a heavyweight clash between the National Guard (leaders of Group B) and the Jeddah Governorate Education Department (runners-up of Group A) in a match that will combine tactical discipline with skill. Also on Thursday, Salam University (leaders of Group F) will face BH from Al-Qunfudhah (runners-up of Group E).
Fans are eagerly awaiting the completion of the remaining matches today to determine the remaining participants in the Round of 16, in a tournament that promises many surprises in its crucial stages.
