Title holders Bahrain handed Qatar opener

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Bahrain will begin their defence of the Arabian Gulf Cup title against Qatar on September 24 after the Gulf Cup Football Federation confirmed the schedule for the 27th edition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The tournament will run from September 23 to October 6, with the reigning champions drawn in Group B alongside Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The nationals will open their campaign against Qatar at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium at 9pm. They will then face the UAE at the same venue on September 27 before completing the group stage against Yemen on September 30.

Hosts Saudi Arabia headline Group A alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals on October 3. The venues for the last-four matches will be confirmed later, while the final is scheduled for October 6 at King Abdullah Sports City.

The kingdom’s title defence follows a dramatic triumph in the previous edition. Oman took the lead through Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri in the 17th minute of the final in Kuwait, but Mohamed Marhoon levelled from the penalty spot in the 78th.

Just two minutes later, a defensive error by Mohammed Al Musalami allowed the nationals to complete the comeback and secure a 2-1 victory. The result delivered the Bahrain’s second Gulf Cup title, following their maiden triumph in 2019.

The upcoming tournament will form part of a busy period for Dragan Talajic’s side, who are also preparing for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.

The continental tournament will be held across three Saudi cities from January 7 to February 5 next year, with Bahrain drawn in Group B alongside North Korea, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

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