Saudi Arabia face Kuwait as Gulf Cup 27 begins – live coverage and line-ups

Saudi Arabia open their Gulf Cup 27 campaign against Kuwait at Alinma Stadium, following the tournament’s opening ceremony.

The two sides are in Group A alongside Iraq and Oman, with all four teams aiming to finish in the top two and reach the semi-finals.

Under the competition’s regulations, the group winners will play the runners-up from the other group in the last four. The winner of Group A will face the second-placed team in Group B, while the Group B winners will meet the runners-up from Group A.

The two semi-final winners will then contest the final on 6 October 2026, when the 27th Gulf Cup champions will be decided.

How to watch Saudi Arabia v Kuwait

The match is being broadcast on a number of channels, with the following commentators:

| Channel | Commentator | ||| | Alkass 1 | Khalid Al Hadi | | Alkass 2 | Samir Al Yaakoubi | | Abu Dhabi Sports 1 | Issa Al Harbin | | Abu Dhabi Sports 2 | Mohammed Al Shamsi | | Saudi Sports 1 | Fahad Al Otaibi | | MBC Shahid | Ahmed Al Nafeesa | | Sharjah Sports | Mousa Eid | | Oman Sports | Mohammed Al Riaimi |

Saudi Arabia line-up

Saudi Arabia manager has selected a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Group A fixture.

Nawaf Al-Aqidi starts in goal, with a defence of Moteb Al-Harbi, Hassan Kadesh, Abdullah Al-Amri and Nawaf Boushal.

Mohammed Kanno and Nasser Al-Dawsari form the midfield base. In front of them are Hamam Al-Hamami, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat and Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan leading the attack.

Saudi Arabia starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Goalkeeper: Nawaf Al-Aqidi Defence: Moteb Al-Harbi, Hassan Kadesh, Abdullah Al-Amri, Nawaf Boushal Midfield: Mohammed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari Attacking midfield: Hamam Al-Hamami, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat Forward: Abdullah Al-Hamdan

Kuwait line-up

Kuwait also start with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper Saud Al-Houshan is protected by Rashid Al-Dosari, Jassim Al-Matar, Yousef Al-Haqqan and Muath Al-Dhafiri in defence.

Khaled Al-Murshid and Abdulaziz Murad make up the central midfield pairing, while Eid Al-Rashidi, Nasser Faleh and Mohammed Daham operate behind striker Shبيب Al-Khaldi.

Kuwait starting XI: 4-2-3-1 Goalkeeper: Saud Al-Houshan Defence: Rashid Al-Dosari, Jassim Al-Matar, Yousef Al-Haqqan, Muath Al-Dhafiri Midfield: Khaled Al-Murshid, Abdulaziz Murad Attacking midfield: Eid Al-Rashidi, Nasser Faleh, Mohammed Daham Forward: Shبيب Al-Khaldi