Saudi Arabia wraps up successful Gulf Cup 27 in Jeddah

The local organizing committee for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, "Khaleeji Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya 27," has concluded its organizational and operational work for the tournament, which was hosted in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6, 2026. Saudi Arabia claimed the title after defeating the United Arab Emirates in the final held at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

The committee expressed its gratitude to the Kingdom’s sports sector, led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and to all officials for their support and oversight of the tournament. Their efforts and resources contributed to the successful hosting and high organizational standards of the Gulf event.

The committee also valued its cooperation with the Gulf Football Federation throughout the preparation and organization stages, which helped meet the requirements for the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup.

Yasser Al-Misehal, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, said the tournament’s success was the result of collaborative efforts across all sectors. He stated: "We are proud of what the Kingdom achieved in Gulf Cup 27, delivering a tournament that embodied the true spirit of the Gulf Cup—competition on the field, and unity and friendship off it. This success would not have been possible without God’s grace, the strong support of our leadership, and the teamwork of all those involved."

Al-Misehal added: "We thank the Gulf Football Federation and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Chairman of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation, for his significant support and continuous follow-up from the early preparation stages to the tournament’s conclusion. We also appreciate the trust and cooperation shown to the local committee and working teams, as well as his attention to every detail. Thanks go to the participating teams, federations, Gulf fans who created the tournament’s atmosphere, and everyone who contributed to this successful edition. We were delighted to host our brothers in Jeddah, and we value the Gulf Cup as a platform that brings people of the Gulf together across generations."

The committee also extended its thanks to local, Gulf, Arab, and international media for their extensive coverage, with over 600 accredited journalists helping to convey the excitement of the tournament and highlight its events both inside and outside the Kingdom.

A special thanks was directed to the fans, whose large and enthusiastic presence throughout the competition created some of the tournament’s most memorable moments. The committee emphasized that the fans were a key partner in the success of "Khaleeji Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya 27," reflecting the tournament’s significance to the people of the Gulf.

The committee also praised the efforts of all government and private entities, partners, working teams, and volunteers who contributed to the tournament’s success and its high organizational standards from start to finish.

Over two weeks, the tournament saw eight Gulf teams compete in front of large crowds and extensive media coverage. A comprehensive organizational effort enabled the smooth running of 15 matches and provided an integrated experience for teams, delegations, fans, and media from the opening match to the final and the awards ceremony.

The local organizing committee stated that the conclusion of "Khaleeji Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya 27" marks the end of a major organizational milestone and the beginning of a new phase, building on the tournament’s achievements and experience to prepare for upcoming sporting events, most notably the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, which the Kingdom will host early next year, continuing its track record of hosting major international sports events.