Sport: Soccer Country: Saudi Arabia Category: Scores & Results

Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off in Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 22, 2026, 4:57 AM

Last updated Sep 22, 2026

Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off in Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions

Summary

The Arabian Gulf Cup starts Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, featuring eight national teams. Yemen, the only team without a title, faces the United Arab Emirates in their opener on Thursday. Saudi Arabia aims to recover from their World Cup exit, beginning their campaign against Kuwait. Yemen has heightened security concerns due to missile threats from Houthi rebels. The tournament will also serve as preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup in January.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Saudi Arabia hosts the tournament amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
•Yemen plays UAE in their first match on Thursday.
•Saudi Arabia faces Kuwait in their opening game on Wednesday.
•Al-Juwayr dropped from squad for disciplinary reasons.
•Top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals.

Latest Updates

4:57 AMYahoo Sports — Amid backdrop of Middle East war, soccer's 8-country Arabian Gulf Cup starts Wednesday

What they're saying

"
Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia will host soccer's eight-country Arabian Gulf Cup starting Wednesday, under pressure to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup. Yemen is the only one of the eight teams never to have won the trophy in 26 previous tournaments and opens against the United Arab Emirates in Jeddah on Thursday, just days after Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced that they had targeted the Saudi capital with missiles. On the field, the pressure is on Saudi Arabia, eliminated at the group stage at the World Cup after failing to win a game.
— Yahoo Sportsby JOHN DUERDEN

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