Nasser Al-Shamrani says Kuwait cannot win Gulf Cup 27 – even if they beat Saudi Arabia

Former Saudi Arabia striker Nasser Al-Shamrani has ruled out Kuwait winning Gulf Cup 27, despite saying their opening match against the hosts should be an even contest.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait meet on Wednesday at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah in the first match of the tournament. The game is in Group A, which also includes Iraq and Oman.

Al-Shamrani said he viewed the match as a 50:50 contest, but delivered a blunt assessment of Kuwait’s prospects of lifting the trophy.

Asked about the Blue’s chances of becoming champions, he said it was “impossible” for Kuwait to win the Gulf Cup.

Al-Shamrani stressed that his comments were not intended to provoke the Kuwait team or its supporters.

“I have complete respect for the Kuwait national team. I do not want to provoke them,” he said. “I am speaking only from a technical point of view.”

Speaking on the programme Dourina Ghair, he added: “Even if Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia, they will not win the Gulf Cup.”

The former striker said both teams faced a similar problem that had prevented them from ending their long wait for another title.

“They are only recalling memories and history,” he said.

Al-Shamrani’s comments were also shared by Khalid Al-Shenaif on 21 September 2026, alongside the assessment that Kuwait’s chance of winning the tournament was “0%”.

Kuwait are the most successful team in Gulf Cup history, having won the competition 10 times. However, they have not added to that total since 2010.

Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup three times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2003.

The match between the tournament hosts and Kuwait launches Gulf Cup 27, with both sides beginning their campaign in Group A alongside Iraq and Oman.