Gulf Cup 27: "The trophy hasn't gone far, and the next stop is the Asian Cup" - By Nasser Al-Anazi

The Saudi city of Jeddah bid farewell to its guests with the same warmth and generosity with which it had welcomed them, saying goodbye to representatives from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Iraq after a series of beautiful, competitive days filled with vibrant fan atmospheres, echoing the distinctive chants and melodies of “Salam, salam ya ahl Jeddah” (Peace, peace, people of Jeddah). In the final match, the Inma’ Stadium in King Abdullah City was transformed into a stunning artistic spectacle that mirrored the competitive ambiance of South American stadiums and the fervor of supporters waving green and white flags. As Moroccan referee Jalal Gouda blew his final whistle, the crowds chanted, “The cup won’t go far; the cup stays in Jeddah.”

We bid farewell to the 27th Gulf Cup two days ago, with the next fixture set for the 2027 Asian Cup, where Saudi Arabia will host this major continental tournament across three cities: the capital Riyadh, the eastern city of Dammam, and Jeddah, the bride of the Red Sea. The stage is set for a major Asian gathering to compete for the title next January, featuring the continent’s top stars, following a thrilling edition in Doha that saw the Qatari national team emerge champions for the second consecutive time.