Tuesday 19 / May / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman will face one of the toughest tests of the group stage at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup after being drawn alongside Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait in Group A following the official draw held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
The tournament will be held in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6, 2026.
Group A has already been labelled the tournament’s “Group of Death”, with the four nations sharing a combined 19 Gulf Cup titles from the 26 editions played since the competition began in 1970.
Ten-time champions Kuwait remain the tournament’s most successful side, while Iraq have lifted the trophy four times and Saudi Arabia three times. Oman, champions in 2009 and 2018, complete the heavyweight line-up with two titles.
By comparison, Group B—featuring defending champions Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Yemen—holds a combined seven titles.
For Oman’s Red Warriors, the draw sets up a demanding path to the knockout rounds under Moroccan tactician Tarik Sektioui, with every group-stage fixture carrying high stakes from the opening whistle.
Oman’s Group A matches are expected to be staged at Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, although organisers are yet to confirm final venue allocations and kick-off timings.
Despite the daunting nature of the draw, Oman enter the tournament with reason for optimism.
Against Saudi Arabia, Oman famously secured their maiden Gulf Cup crown in 2009 after defeating the Green Falcons in a dramatic penalty shootout final in Muscat.
Kuwait, historically dominant with 10 titles, have faced stiff competition from Oman in recent Gulf Cup meetings, including a memorable 5-0 victory for the Red Warriors in 2014.
The clash against Iraq is expected to carry added emotional weight following the dramatic 2023 Gulf Cup final in Basra, where Iraq edged Oman 3-2 after extra time in one of the tournament’s most memorable finals.
FIFA rankings also reflect the competitiveness of Group A.
Iraq enter the tournament as the highest-ranked side in the group at 57th in the world, followed by Saudi Arabia at 61st and Oman at 79th, while Kuwait are ranked 134th.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for October 2 and 3, with the final set to take place on October 6.
