AFC Asian Cup
A creative spark in midfield with an eye for goal, Al Gahwashi has established himself as one of Yemen's most important players, combining his technical ability with a knack for producing decisive contributions.
Factfile
Age: 27
Caps: 38
Goals: 16
Club: Kazma SC (KUW)
Age: 27
Caps: 38
Goals: 16
Club: Kazma SC (KUW)
Born in Al Bayda, Al Gahwashi began his career in Yemen before moving to Iraq, where he represented Naft Maysan, Al Mina'a and Naft Al Wasat.
He subsequently helped Al Shorta secure the 2022/23 Iraqi Premier League title before a brief spell with Bahrain's Al Muharraq Club and a return to Iraq with Zakho, where he continued to impress before joining Kuwaiti side Kazma SC in 2026.
He subsequently helped Al Shorta secure the 2022/23 Iraqi Premier League title before a brief spell with Bahrain's Al Muharraq Club and a return to Iraq with Zakho, where he continued to impress before joining Kuwaiti side Kazma SC in 2026.
Trivia
Yemen are the only Saudi Arabia 2027 participant yet to score at the AFC Asian Cup,
having scored zero and conceded 10 across their three matches in their only previous appearance (since unification) in 2019.
On the international stage, Al Gahwashi made his senior debut in 2019 and has steadily developed into a key figure for Yemen, with his goalscoring exploits proving particularly important during their Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifying campaign.
The midfielder struck five times in a commanding 9-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam in October 2025 before adding four more in a 7-1 triumph against Bhutan the following month.
The midfielder struck five times in a commanding 9-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam in October 2025 before adding four more in a 7-1 triumph against Bhutan the following month.
His finest moment, however, came in Yemen's decisive final qualifier against Lebanon in June 2026. With the tie locked at 0-0, Al Gahwashi broke the stalemate with a curling effort shortly after the hour mark before adding a second in the 90th minute to seal a 2-0 victory.
The result saw Yemen finish top of Group B with 14 points, securing their return to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since UAE 2019.
Drawn alongside Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in Group E, Al Gahwashi will be central to Yemen's hopes of making their mark at the Finals.
The result saw Yemen finish top of Group B with 14 points, securing their return to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since UAE 2019.
Drawn alongside Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in Group E, Al Gahwashi will be central to Yemen's hopes of making their mark at the Finals.
