Arab Gulf Cup officials are examining plans that would see national teams from North Africa invited to take part in future editions of the regional tournament, marking a potential turning point in the competition’s history.
Several sources familiar with the discussions have indicated that the organisers are assessing the feasibility of widening the field beyond the traditional Gulf participants.
Since its inception, the Gulf Cup has been contested exclusively by seven countries from the region — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Iraq — and has served as a showcase for rivalries rooted in geography and shared sporting culture.
The current talks are understood to be driven by a desire to enhance the tournament’s profile at a time when the international football calendar is increasingly crowded and competitions must compete for audiences.
By exploring the inclusion of teams from North Africa, the organisers hope to inject fresh storylines, broaden the competitive landscape and elevate the commercial appeal of the event.
While no formal proposal has yet been made public, the idea has gathered momentum in recent months as stakeholders consider how the Gulf Cup can remain relevant and distinctive in a changing football environment.
The next edition, scheduled to be staged in Saudi Arabia in 2026, is emerging as a possible platform for testing a revised format or, at the very least, laying the groundwork for future reform.
For decades, the Gulf Cup has been defined by the intensity of local derbies and the familiarity between competing nations.
Expanding the competition to include North African sides would represent a significant shift in identity, potentially blending two distinct footballing cultures under a single banner.
Proponents of the move argue that such a change could create compelling new match-ups, drawing in supporters from a wider geographical area and attracting greater international interest.
The timing of the discussions is also significant.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, football authorities are increasingly collaborating on cross-regional projects, whether through joint tournaments, commercial partnerships or youth development programmes.
Against this backdrop, the notion of a broader Arab competition reflects a wider ambition to strengthen ties and raise standards through exposure to different playing styles and tactical approaches.
Sceptics, however, caution that the Gulf Cup’s charm lies in its intimacy and deep-rooted rivalries.
Opening the door to additional nations could dilute the sense of regional ownership that has underpinned the tournament for more than five decades.
There are also logistical considerations, from scheduling and travel to the impact on domestic leagues, all of which would need to be addressed before any expansion could be implemented.
Nonetheless, the fact that the idea is being actively studied suggests that the organisers are willing to challenge tradition in pursuit of growth.
With Saudi Arabia preparing to host the 2026 edition, attention will inevitably turn to whether the Kingdom’s staging of the tournament becomes a catalyst for innovation.
For now, the Gulf Cup remains a competition for the seven founding nations.
But behind the scenes, conversations about its future are gaining traction, and the prospect of North African teams lining up alongside Gulf rivals is no longer confined to speculation.
Should the plans advance, the next few years could herald the most profound transformation in the tournament’s history.
