Gulf Cup
Hosts Saudi Arabia will be seeking a fourth title, while defending champions Bahrain, record 10-time winners Kuwait and four-time champions Iraq are among the teams hoping to emerge victorious.
Group A
Iraq v Oman
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 17:30 (UTC+3)
Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:00 (UTC+3)
Saudi Arabia will look to make home advantage count as they target their first Gulf Cup title since 2003.
The hosts face Kuwait in their opening match, with Feras Al Brikan, Mohammed Kanno and Mohammed Al Owais among the key figures expected to lead their challenge.
Iraq will also have high expectations after lifting their fourth title in 2023, while Oman will be aiming to recover from the disappointment of finishing runners-up in each of the previous two editions.
Kuwait, meanwhile, remain the competition’s most successful nation and will be eager to add to their record haul of 10 titles.
Iraq and Oman will get Group A underway before Saudi Arabia meet Kuwait later on Wednesday.
Group B
United Arab Emirates v Yemen
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:55 (UTC+3)
Qatar v Bahrain
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah)
Kick-off: Thursday, 21:00 (UTC+3)
Bahrain enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating Oman 2-1 in the 2024 final to claim their second title.
Their title defence begins against Qatar, with the three-time champions boasting plenty of experience through the likes of Akram Afif, Almoez Ali and Hassan Al Haydos.
The United Arab Emirates, winners in 2007 and 2013, will also be hoping to mount a strong challenge, while Yemen will look to spring a surprise against their more decorated rivals.
The UAE face Yemen in Thursday’s opening Group B fixture before Bahrain take on Qatar.
With the top two teams from each group to advance to the semi-finals, there will be little margin for error as the battle for supremacy begins in Jeddah.
Photo: Saudi Arabian Football Federation
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