Saudi Arabia end 23-year trophy drought with Gulf Cup 27 triumph

Saudi Arabia ended a 23-year wait for a major title by beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the Gulf Cup 27 final at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The victory secured the national team’s first trophy since the 2003 Arabian Gulf Cup and brought an end to its longest period without finishing as champions.

Since that success, Saudi Arabia have competed in 27 tournaments under various titles without winning one. Their best result during that period was finishing runners-up on five occasions.

The team appeared at four World Cups in 2006, 2018, 2022 and 2026, but exited at the group stage each time. Saudi Arabia did not qualify for the 2010 or 2014 editions.

At the Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia played in six tournaments after their last title. Their strongest showing came in 2007, when they lost to Iraq in the final. They were eliminated in the last 16 in 2019 and 2023, and went out in the group stage in 2004, 2011 and 2015.

Saudi Arabia also took part in 10 editions of the Arabian Gulf Cup before Gulf Cup 27, finishing runners-up in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2019. Their three appearances in the West Asian Football Federation Championship, in 2012, 2014 and 2019, all ended with group-stage exits.

In the Arab Cup, Saudi Arabia’s best result was third place in 2025. They finished fourth in 2012 and were eliminated in the group stage in 2021.

20 managerial changes

Gerard van der Lem was the manager when Saudi Arabia last won a trophy, guiding them to the Arabian Gulf Cup title in 2003. He left his post in 2004, after which the Saudi Arabian Football Federation made 20 changes to the senior national-team manager’s position.

Those changes involved 17 different coaches, with Giorgos Donis the latest to take charge. Saudi coach Nasser Al-Johar held the role on an interim basis three times, while fellow Saudi manager Yousef Anbar had one caretaker spell.

Every other manager since 2004 has been from overseas. Among them, Herve Renard had two spells in charge and helped Saudi Arabia qualify for two World Cups.

Saudi clubs dominate in Asia

While the national team went without a title for 23 years, Saudi clubs enjoyed considerable success in Asian competition.

Of the 22 editions of the AFC Champions League held since Saudi Arabia’s last international triumph, Saudi clubs won six. Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli each claimed the trophy twice.

South Korean clubs led the way with seven titles, while Japanese clubs won five. Clubs from China collected two trophies, with one each for Australia and the United Arab Emirates.

Domestically, six different clubs won the Saudi league across the 23 seasons since 2003. Al-Hilal were the most successful, taking 10 titles, followed by Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr with four each. Al-Shabab won three, while Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh claimed one apiece.