The decision marked a rare and controversial intervention by FIFA in a competitive fixture. Third-place playoffs are often treated as secondary to finals, but they still carry significance in terms of rankings, prize money and competitive integrity, making the abandonment of the match particularly notable.
The Arab Cup third-place playoff was part of the tournament’s second edition under FIFA jurisdiction and the 13th overall in its history. While weather-related delays are not uncommon in football, it is highly unusual for a match to be abandoned outright and resolved administratively rather than completed at a later date.
Following the suspension, there was an extended delay before FIFA confirmed the final outcome. After a four-hour wait, football’s governing body announced that the third-place playoff would officially be declared a 0-0 draw, with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates both awarded joint third place.