The Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation held the draw for the 27th edition of the regional tournament in Jeddah on May 20 2026, positioning hosts Saudi Arabia alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait in Group A. Group B features the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen, meaning the defending champions will launch their campaign against Qatar. The federation confirmed that the competition will take place in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6 2027, with all eight member nations participating. The draw ceremony was attended by the Minister of Sports and Youth and federation president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Thani along with representatives from each team.
Bahrain claimed their second title at the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup by defeating Oman 2-1 in the final held in Kuwait on January 4 2025, according to the federation’s official records. Mohamed Marhoon scored the equaliser from the penalty spot before an own goal sealed the win for the Reds in that match. The victory followed Bahrain’s maiden triumph in 2019 when they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final hosted by Doha, a tournament that carried added significance amid a diplomatic dispute involving several participating nations. The team has shown steady improvement in recent years under coach Dragan Talajic.
Kuwait remains the most decorated side in the competition’s history with 10 titles, the latest coming in 2010, according to federation statistics that place Iraq second with four wins including the 2023 edition on home soil. Qatar have secured three titles with their most recent success in 2014 while Saudi Arabia also hold three crowns. The United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain have each lifted the trophy twice, with Yemen yet to claim a title after multiple appearances.
A review by Arab News of the 26th tournament highlighted Bahrain as an emerging force in regional football, crediting their resilience, team spirit and tactical discipline for the success in Kuwait. The side topped their group before advancing through the knockout stages, where Marhoon’s contributions proved decisive in both the semi-final against the hosts and the final. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates experienced disappointing campaigns in that edition, prompting expectations of stronger performances in the upcoming tournament as World Cup qualification looms.
The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup will see the group stage unfold over the first two weeks followed by semi-finals and the final, mirroring the format used in recent editions, the federation’s outline shows. Matches will be staged at venues in Jeddah with Saudi Arabia automatically seeded as hosts in Group A. Bahrain enter as favourites to progress from Group B but will face stiff competition from Qatar, a three-time champion, and the United Arab Emirates, who have reached the final on multiple occasions.
Federation data indicates that the tournament has grown in stature since its inception in 1970, serving as a key platform for Gulf national teams to develop players and test tactical approaches. The 2024-25 edition attracted record attendance figures exceeding 390,000 across 15 matches, reflecting increasing fan interest. Bahrain’s back-to-back final appearances in 2023 and 2025 underscore their rise, even as traditional powerhouses seek to reclaim dominance in the 2027 event.
