16 teams enter knockout stage in Government Institutions Eights tourney

Muscat, Jan 14
The group stage of the 2026 Government Institutions Eights Football Championship, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MoCSY), has concluded, with 16 teams booking their places in the Round of 16 after a series of highly competitive and closely fought matches among the participating government entities.
In Group 1, the Ministry of Finance finished top with 7 points, followed by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, who advanced with 4 points.
Group 2 was dominated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, who topped the group with a perfect 9 points, joined in qualification by Muscat Municipality with 6 points.
In Group 3, the Central Bank of Oman continued their strong form to claim first place with 9 points, while the Ministry of Labour qualified in second with 6 points.
Group 4 produced a tight contest, with both the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and Ministry of Education (A) advancing after finishing level on 5 points each.
From Group 5, Royal Court Affairs qualified in first place with 9 points, followed by the Authority for Public Services Regulation with 6 points.
In Group 6, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources maintained their perfect run to top the group with 9 points, while the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism secured second place with 6 points.
Group 7 was led by the State Audit Institution, who finished on 7 points, accompanied by the Environment Authority, who qualified with 5 points.
In Group 8, the Diwan of the Royal Court claimed top spot with 9 points, with the Supreme judiciary Council finishing second on 6 points.
FINAL ROUND RESULTS
The final round of the group stage delivered dramatic encounters that decided qualification until the very last moments.
In Group 1, the Ministry of Finance drew 1–1 with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, while the National Centre for Statistics and Information and the Authority for Projects, Tenders and Local Content also shared a 1–1 draw.
In Group 2, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth continued their perfect run with a 2–0 victory over the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, while Muscat Municipality swept aside the Civil Aviation Authority with a 3–0 win.
Group 3 saw the Central Bank of Oman defeat the Ministry of Labour 2–0, and the Social Protection Fund overcome the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs 3–1.
In Group 4, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology claimed an important 2–0 victory over the Ministry of Information, while Ministry of Education (A) edged past University Medical City 1–0.
In Group 5, Royal Court Affairs delivered a dominant performance with a 7–1 win over the Majlis Ash’shura, while the Authority for Public Services Regulation blanked the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning 3–0.
In Group 6, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources beat the Ministry of Social Development 2–0, while the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism produced a commanding 6–0 victory over the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority.
Group 7 saw the State Audit Institution edge past Ministry of Education (B) 1–0, while the Environment Authority defeated the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority 2–1.
The group stage concluded in Group 8 with the Diwan of the Royal Court defeating the Supreme Judicial Council 2–0, while the match between the National Records and Archives Authority and the Ministry of Interior ended in a 1–1 draw.