Why Saudi Arabia are strong contenders for Gulf Cup glory on home soil

Saudi Arabia will host the 27th Gulf Cup in Jeddah from 23 September to 6 October, giving the national team a significant advantage as they aim to win the competition for the first time in more than two decades.

The tournament will be played at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, known as Alinma Stadium, and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium. Saudi Arabia will play all three of their group matches at Alinma Stadium, beginning against Kuwait on 23 September, followed by Oman on 26 September and Iraq on 29 September.

Playing in familiar surroundings, avoiding travel between cities and receiving strong home support could prove decisive, particularly in important matches. Saudi Arabia have also enjoyed success when hosting the Gulf Cup before, winning the 2002 edition without defeat.

A new-look squad under Georgios Donis

Manager Georgios Donis has selected a 26-man squad that is markedly different from the group involved in the 2026 World Cup. Established players including Salem Al-Dawsari and Saud Abdulhamid are absent, along with several other members of the World Cup squad.

Their omissions have opened the door for a number of less experienced players, including Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat, Homam Al-Hamami, Rayan Hamed, Mohammed Mahzari and Zakaria Hawsawi.

Donis has nevertheless retained a core of international experience through goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais, Mohammed Kanno, Hassan Al-Tambakti and Feras Al-Braikan. The combination of emerging talent and proven players gives the manager an opportunity to begin building a different Saudi Arabia side.

The newcomers will be eager to establish themselves internationally, while the senior members of the squad will view the competition as a chance to help return the team to the top of Gulf football.

A demanding but familiar group

Saudi Arabia’s group also contains Iraq, Oman and Kuwait, three teams with considerable experience and history in the Gulf Cup. The draw is not straightforward, but it gives Donis and his players a clear route through the opening stage.

The schedule allows Saudi Arabia to approach the competition progressively, starting with Kuwait before facing Oman and then meeting Iraq in the final group game. That last match may carry the greatest significance both tactically and mathematically, although the first two fixtures could allow Saudi Arabia to establish their position in the group early.

The strength of the group may therefore encourage concentration from the opening match rather than leave Saudi Arabia facing their first major test only in the knockout rounds.

A chance to end a long wait

Saudi Arabia have won the Gulf Cup three times, in 1994, 2002 and 2003, and have regularly reached the later stages. Their most recent triumph came at Gulf Cup 16 in Kuwait in 2003, when they finished top with 14 points and remained unbeaten.

Gulf Cup 27 offers the chance to end that more than two-decade wait. The possibility of claiming a fourth title will be especially prominent because the tournament is being staged in Saudi Arabia.

The younger members of the squad, including Mohammed Al-Qahtani, Ziyad Al-Jehani, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, Homam Al-Hamami and Sultan Mandash, will be competing for international recognition. Alongside them are experienced options such as Al-Owais, Kanno, Al-Tambakti, Al-Braikan and Firas Al-Hamdan.

The absence of several prominent players increases the responsibility on those selected and could intensify competition within the squad.

None of these factors guarantees success in a tournament known for surprises and closely matched teams. But home advantage, a new squad, a manager seeking to build a fresh side, a strong record and the motivation of emerging players give Saudi Arabia plenty of reason to believe a fourth Gulf Cup title is possible.