MUSCAT: Oman have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, following the official draw ceremony held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
Group B features the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Yemen, setting the stage for a highly competitive edition of the regional tournament, which will bring together all eight Gulf national teams.
The draw ceremony took place at the Culture Square, Arts Centre building of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, in the presence of Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al Thani, President of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation, Yasser al Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, senior officials, representatives of the participating teams and former Gulf football stars.
The draw was conducted by former Saudi national team player Saleh al Mohammadi, former Qatar player Ahmed Khalil and Oman’s former international star Fawzi Basheer.
The Oman Football Association was represented at the ceremony by Eng Qutaiba al Gailani, Vice-Chairman of the OFA, Tarik Sektioui, head coach of the national team, Waleed al Numani, Director of the National Teams Department and Fawzi Basheer.
The tournament will be staged in Jeddah at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, with the participation of Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen.
According to the competition regulations, the teams were divided into four pots based on the latest Fifa rankings issued on April 1. Qatar and Iraq were placed in Pot 1, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE were in Pot 2. Oman and Bahrain formed Pot 3, with Kuwait and Yemen in Pot 4.
Under the draw mechanism, one team from each pot was placed in each group, meaning that teams in the same pot would not meet in the group stage.
STRONG GROUP
Oman’s group promises strong and demanding fixtures, with the national team set to face the hosts Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait — three teams with rich history and strong traditions in the Gulf Cup. The group is expected to attract major attention due to the competitive balance and the historical rivalry between its sides.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the final to contest the title.
Khaleeji 27 will be the fifth edition held under the umbrella of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation. Saudi Arabia has previously hosted the Gulf Cup four times, in 1972, 1988, 2002 and 2014.
The tournament, first launched in Bahrain in 1970, continues to hold a special place in Gulf football, combining sporting rivalry with strong social and cultural ties among the peoples of the region.
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