Football fans in the Western Region will be glued to their screens this Friday evening as King Abdullah Sports City's reserve stadium (Al-Jawhara Stadium) hosts the semi-finals of the Jeddah 2026 football tournament. This event is exceptional in every sense, bringing together top teams from government sectors and leading amateur clubs in its decisive stages, in a sporting spectacle that reflects the significant development of community and institutional sports in the Kingdom.
Facing ambition and surprises
The excitement kicks off with the opening match between Salam University and Jeddah Police. The Police team enters the game with sky-high morale after pulling off a major upset in the quarterfinals by eliminating the National Guard team from the Western Sector, the 2025 champions, with a resounding 4-2 victory. Meanwhile, the University team's ambitions are no less high, having reached this stage after overcoming a tough obstacle in the form of Noor Academy from Mecca, in a dramatic match that ended 6-5 in their favor.
A breathtaking football evening
In the second match, described by observers as a "breathtaking encounter," the Border Guard team from the Makkah region will face Al-Taawon from Jeddah. The highly anticipated match will kick off at 11:55 PM, adding to the excitement of a major football spectacle. This match holds particular significance as it is the second test of the evening, pitting government teams against amateur sides, thus raising the stakes and highlighting the need to demonstrate technical and physical superiority on the pitch.
A difficult path towards the Golden Square
The four teams' path to the semi-finals was far from easy, resulting from marathon matches that reflected the high level of skill among the teams. The Border Guards team qualified after a fierce battle decided by penalties (3-1) against the Special Forces for Environmental Security. The same scenario led Al-Taawon to qualification after their penalty shootout victory (5-4) over Al-Rasoukh, confirming that mental readiness will be the decisive factor in tonight's matches.
The importance of the event and the deadline
Holding these matches at King Abdullah Sports City enhances the prestige of the tournament and gives players the opportunity to showcase their skills in world-class facilities. The winners of tonight's matches will face Al-Majd in the final, scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to compete for the championship title, which has become a major focus for athletes in Jeddah and Mecca.
