Saudi Arabia face historic Iraq test in Gulf 27 group

Saudi Arabia will begin their Gulf 27 campaign in a group featuring Iraq, Kuwait and Oman, three opponents they have faced regularly across Gulf and Asian football. However, the historical head-to-head records show a clear contrast in the Green’s results against each of them.

Iraq hold the historical edge

Iraq represent Saudi Arabia’s most difficult fixture on past evidence. The two sides have met 38 times, with Saudi Arabia winning 12 matches, losing 18 and drawing eight.

Those figures give Iraq a significant advantage in the overall record, unlike the situation against the other teams in the group. Their meetings have also carried particular competitive importance, with the sides repeatedly facing one another in the Gulf Cup, World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup.

Saudi Arabia ahead against Kuwait

The record against Kuwait is more favourable for Saudi Arabia. The Green have recorded 17 victories, compared with 13 wins for Kuwait, while 13 of their meetings have ended level, according to the head-to-head record used in the report.

The figures underline the long-standing competitiveness of the fixture, while also giving Saudi Arabia a narrow historical advantage. Their next meeting will therefore continue an extensive sequence of contests between two familiar Gulf rivals.

Strong record against Oman

Saudi Arabia’s advantage is more pronounced against Oman. The Green have won 17 of their meetings, losing four and drawing four, based on the figures cited in the report.

Other updated databases, however, record 18 Saudi victories in 26 matches. Despite that historical superiority, the fixture is unlikely to be regarded as straightforward, with Oman having shown in recent years that they can trouble Saudi Arabia.

Oman beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 in Gulf 26. Saudi Arabia then responded with a 2-1 victory in the Asian Cup and another 2-1 win in the Arab Cup 2025.

Saudi Arabia, managed by Georgios Donis, will therefore enter Gulf 27 with a group they know well. Iraq have the better historical record, Kuwait’s meetings with the Green have been closely balanced, and Saudi Arabia have a clear advantage over Oman.

The previous statistics, however, will not decide the matches. Saudi Arabia’s challenge will be to turn that historical record into fresh results on the pitch.