Kuwait's Blue and Saudi Green to open Gulf Cup finals; Iraq meets Oman in 'Gulf 27'
The Arab Gulf Cup kicks off in Jeddah with two key matches in Group One, pitting Kuwait against Saudi Arabia and Iraq against Oman at the start of the tournament.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
By Khaled Al-Shammari, Jeddah – September 23 (KUNA) – Gulf fans’ attention is focused today, Wednesday, on the Saudi city of Jeddah, where the 27th edition of the Gulf Cup football tournament (Khaleeji 27) kicks off with two Group A matches. The first sees Iraq face Oman, while the second features Kuwait against Saudi Arabia in a clash steeped in a long history of rivalry between the two national teams.
The encounter between the Blue (Kuwait) and the Green (Saudi Arabia) carries special significance, as it pits Kuwait, the record holder with ten titles, against Saudi Arabia, who have won three championships. Both teams are eager to start their campaigns strongly and secure all three points as they begin their journey toward the semi-finals.
The upcoming match marks a new chapter in the teams’ Gulf Cup rivalry. They have met 22 times previously, with Kuwait winning ten matches, Saudi Arabia five, and seven ending in draws. Tomorrow’s contest will be their 23rd meeting in the tournament’s history.
The two sides first faced each other in the inaugural edition of the competition in Bahrain in 1970, when Kuwait won 3-1. Their encounters have continued across successive editions, featuring key milestones in Gulf football history. One of the most notable was the final of the 20th edition held in Yemen in 2010, where Kuwait secured a 1-0 victory to claim their tenth title. Their most recent meeting took place in the 26th edition in Kuwait in 2024, ending in a 1-1 draw.
Kuwait enters the match with ambitions of reclaiming the title, which has eluded them since 2010, and extending their record number of championships. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, aims to leverage home advantage and crowd support in their quest for their fourth title and first since 2003.
Preceding the main clash is another Group A match between Iraq and Oman, which also carries a rich history of rivalry. Iraq holds four Gulf Cup titles, while Oman has two. Both teams are looking to make a positive start in the tournament.
Today’s opening-day matches are crucial in shaping the race for the two semi-final spots, amid growing fan anticipation for the launch of a new edition of the tournament, which brings together regional teams in one of the most prominent football competitions in the Gulf. (End) K.N.S. / M.K.
