Agricultural land abandonment (ALA) is one environmental issue that can affect soil quality (SQ) and erosion risk (ER), especially in semi-arid regions. This study aimed to assess SQ and ER in abandoned and cultivated lands in the Khuzestan Plain, southwestern Iran. SQ was evaluated using the Random Forest method and ER was assessed using spatial multi-criteria decision-making models. The study found that the soils in the region were of low to moderate quality. The higher quality soils were predominantly located in the northern and northeastern parts, which are primarily covered by highland cultivation. Lower quality soils were found in the central parts, which were mainly comprised abandoned lands. The highest erosion risk was observed in the high and steep areas of the eastern and southeastern parts, which are mainly abandoned lands. The lowest erosion risk was observed in the low-slope parts of the region, which primarily comprise cultivated lands. Correlation analyses clarified that SQ was more closely related to topographic factors than others. It directly correlated with elevation, slope, and TRI (0.57 < R < 0.81, P-value<0.05) and inversely with valley depth (R = -0.66, P-value<0.05). ER had a positive relationship with slope (R = 0.70, P-value<0.05) and an inverse relationship with vegetation (R = -0.34, P-value<0.05). Cultivated lands had higher quality soils than abandoned lands, but the opposite was true for erosion risk. This study revealed that the ALA can affect SQ and ER due to soil degradation and worsening ecological conditions. Hence, it is essential to implement land management strategies and develop appropriate programs to protect soil, reduce erosion risk, and prevent land abandonment in semi-arid regions.