Saudi Arabia expected to make sweeping changes for Gulf Cup 27 opener

Saudi Arabia are expected to name a much-changed side for Wednesday’s Gulf Cup 27 opener against Kuwait, with head coach Georgios Donis set to make several alterations from the team involved at the 2026 World Cup.

The opening match will take place at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, with the tournament running until 6 October. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are in Group A alongside Iraq and Oman.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Youm, Donis is expected to select the following starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Mohammed Al Owais

Defenders: Mohammed Abu Al Shamat, Hassan Tambakti, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Mutab Al-Harbi

Midfielders: Mohammed Kanno, Mukhtar Ali, Saleh Abu Al Shamat

Forwards: Firas Al-Buraikan, Sultan Mandash, Abdullah Al-Hamdan

Donis has left eight players out of the Saudi Arabia squad that represented the country at the 2026 World Cup. Among the absentees are captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who plays for Al Hilal, and right-back Saud Abdulhamid of French club Lens, with both players unavailable because of injury.

Wednesday’s fixture will be Saudi Arabia’s first match since their goalless draw with Cape Verde in their final World Cup group game. They were eliminated from the tournament in the group stage.

The meeting with Kuwait begins Saudi Arabia’s campaign in Gulf Cup 27, as they look to start the competition with a revised squad and a new-look line-up.