Qatar to host second Gulf Cup for veteran footballers in 2026
Qatar will stage the second Gulf Cup for veteran players in Doha in late 2026, featuring eight Gulf nations and 15 matches across three stadiums.
Key Takeaways
AIThe Gulf Football Federation, in cooperation with the local organizing committee in Qatar, has announced that the second edition of the Gulf Cup for veteran players will be held in the Qatari capital, Doha, from October 30 to November 5, 2026.
The tournament will feature top football stars and legends from the eight Gulf football associations, with 15 matches to be played across three venues: Hamad Al-Kabeer Stadium, Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, and Saud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Groups
The tournament draw placed defending champions Iraq in Group A alongside Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. Group B includes host nation Qatar, as well as the UAE, Bahrain, and Yemen.
Match format
Each match will consist of two halves of 20 minutes, with an unlimited number of substitutions allowed. If any knockout stage match ends in a draw after 40 minutes, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.
Opening and final
The tournament will kick off on Friday, October 30, at 5:30 p.m. at Hamad Al-Kabeer Stadium, with Qatar facing Bahrain. The final will be held on Thursday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Saud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Matches for the Gulf Cup for veteran players Qatar 2026 will be played during rest days of the 2026 Gulf U-17 Cup, which Qatar will also host from October 16 to November 4, 2026.