UAE face Yemen in Gulf Cup 27 opener as both sides begin semi-final campaign

The United Arab Emirates will play Yemen at Alinma Stadium in the opening round of the Arabian Gulf Cup “Khaleeji 27”.

The UAE have been drawn in Group B alongside Qatar, Yemen and Bahrain, with all four teams aiming to finish in the top two and reach the semi-finals.

The tournament regulations state that the winners and runners-up of each group will advance to the last four. The Group A winners will face the Group B runners-up, while the Group B winners will meet the Group A runners-up.

The two semi-final winners will then contest the final, which is scheduled for 6 October 2026 to decide the champions of the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup.

How to watch UAE v Yemen

Coverage of the match will be available on Alkass 1, Alkass 2, Abu Dhabi Sports 1, Abu Dhabi Sports 2, Saudi Sports 2, MBC Action, Sharjah Sports, Oman Sports, the Shahid platform and Kuwait Sports.

The commentators assigned to the broadcast are:

– Alkass 1: Samir Al-Maierfi – Alkass 2: Saud Al-Hariri – Abu Dhabi Sports 1: Amer Abdullah – Abu Dhabi Sports 2: Abdullah Al-Saadi – Saudi Sports 2: Fahad Al-Anzi – Sharjah Sports: Mousa Eid – Oman Sports: Hassan Al-Hashami – Shahid: Ali Al-Darraj – Kuwait Sports: Tariq Al-Mulla

Confirmed line-ups

The UAE will start with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Khaled Eisa in goal.

Ruben Canedo, Alaeddine Zouhir, Lucas Pimenta and Marcos Meloni make up the defence, while Mamadou Coulibaly and Issam Faiz will play in midfield.

Yuri Cesar, Nicolas Gimenez and Luan Pereira are named behind striker Bruno Oliveira.

Yemen will also line up in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Mohammed Aman selected as goalkeeper.

Their defensive four consists of Rami Al-Wasmani, Haroun Al-Zubaidi, Nader Yahya Sahl and Ridwan Al-Hubaishi. Osama Anbar and Omar Mansour Golan are the holding midfielders.

Abdul Majeed Sabara, Abdulwasea Al-Matari, Nasser Mohammedoh and Omar Al-Dahi are listed in the attacking midfield positions, with Essam Al-Subhi leading the line.