Saudi Arabia face Iraq, Oman and Kuwait in Gulf Cup 27 group

Saudi Arabia will begin their campaign at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 23 September to 6 October, with matches against Kuwait, Oman and Iraq in Group A.

The hosts are targeting the title as they seek to re-establish themselves in regional football after failing to reach the second round of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament provides Saudi Arabia with an opportunity to respond to that disappointment and challenge for another major Gulf honour.

Gulf Cup 27 format

Eight teams will take part in the competition, with the draw conducted across four levels under the tournament regulations. One team from each level was allocated to every group.

The teams were divided into two groups of four, with the first stage played as a single round-robin. Each side will therefore play three matches against the other teams in its group.

Saudi Arabia were drawn in Group A alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait. The group brings together teams with considerable experience and closely matched levels, making it one of the most competitive sections of the tournament.

Group B consists of United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen. Those teams will also compete for the two qualification places available from the group stage.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals. The Group A winners will play the Group B runners-up, while the Group B winners will face the Group A runners-up.

The two semi-final winners will meet in the final to decide the champions of the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Saudi Arabia fixtures

Saudi Arabia’s three Group A matches are scheduled against Kuwait on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, Oman on Saturday, 26 September 2026, and Iraq on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

The opening fixture against Kuwait is listed for 21:00 Saudi Arabia time and 22:00 United Arab Emirates time at Alinma Stadium, with the result recorded as 0-1.

The match against Oman will also begin at 21:00 Saudi Arabia time, or 22:00 United Arab Emirates time, at Alinma Stadium. Saudi Arabia’s final group game, against Iraq, is scheduled for 20:30 Saudi Arabia time and 21:30 United Arab Emirates time, also at Alinma Stadium.

The Group A line-up is:

– Saudi Arabia – Iraq – Oman – Kuwait

The draw confirmed Saudi Arabia’s place in the group alongside those three opponents, which is regarded as one of the strongest sections of the tournament.

Broadcast details

The Arabian Gulf Cup 27 will be shown on more than 16 Arabic-language channels.

The principal broadcasters named are Abu Dhabi Sports, Iraqi Sports, Oman Sports, Bahrain Sports, Dubai Sports, Al Kass and Saudi Sports.