UAE face Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen in Gulf Cup 27 Group B

The United Arab Emirates will begin their Gulf Cup 27 campaign against Yemen on 24 September 2026, with Bahrain and Qatar also awaiting in Group B.

The 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from 23 September to 6 October. UAE enter the tournament hoping to challenge for the title and recover from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The nation has previously won the competition twice, lifting the trophy in 2007 and 2013.

Gulf Cup 27 format

Eight teams are taking part in the tournament, with the sides divided into four levels before the draw. One team from each level was then placed in each group.

The opening phase consists of two groups of four, with each team playing three matches in a single round-robin format.

Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group A alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait. The group is regarded as one of the most closely matched in the competition because of the teams’ similar levels of experience and ability.

Group B contains the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen, with all four sides competing for a place in the knockout stages.

The top two teams in each group will reach the semi-finals. The Group A winners will play the Group B runners-up, while the Group B winners will face the Group A runners-up.

The two semi-final winners will meet in the final to decide the champions of Gulf Cup 27.

UAE fixtures and broadcast channels

The UAE’s group-stage matches are scheduled for Thursday, 24 September 2026, against Yemen; Sunday, 27 September 2026, against Bahrain; and Wednesday, 30 September 2026, against Qatar.

The tournament will be shown on more than 16 Arab television channels. The principal broadcasters include Abu Dhabi Sports, Al Iraqiya Sports, Oman Sports, Bahrain Sports, Dubai Sports, Alkass and Saudi Sports.

| Stage | Fixture | Date and kick-off | Result | Stadium | |||||| | Group stage | UAE v Yemen | Thursday, 24 September 2026, 18:55 Saudi Arabia, 19:55 UAE | 0-4 | Alinma | | Group stage | UAE v Bahrain | Sunday, 27 September 2026, 21:00 Saudi Arabia, 22:00 UAE | 0-3 | Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City | | Group stage | UAE v Qatar | Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 20:30 Saudi Arabia, 21:30 UAE | 1-1 | Alinma | | Semi-final | UAE v Saudi Arabia/Oman | Saturday, 3 October 2026 | | |

Group B standings

The draw placed the UAE in Group B with Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen. The group is considered one of the strongest sections of the forthcoming tournament, with all four teams aiming to secure one of the two qualification places for the semi-finals.