Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates meet in Gulf 27 final in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates meet in Tuesday's Gulf Cup 27 final at Jeddah's Al-Inmaa Stadium, each seeking its next title.

• The final kicks off at 21:00 Mecca time, matching 22:00 in Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday.
• Saudi Arabia reached the final by beating Qatar 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, while the UAE beat Oman 1-0.
• Saudi Arabia leads the all-time series 19 wins to 6 with 7 draws in 33 meetings, and 11-3 in Gulf Cup games.
• Saudi Arabia kept clean sheets in all four matches before the final, while the UAE scored nine goals in four matches.
• Saudi midfielder Abdullah Al Salem said the team achieved its goal by reaching the final and called for a full 60,000-capacity stadium.
• The UAE Football Association said it will provide six private planes to transport fans to Jeddah, with all seats filled.
• The UAE has scored nine goals in four matches, one short of its best single-tournament record of ten, set in 1986 and 2013.
• Saudi fans on X criticized coach Georgios Donis over his starting lineup and substitutions ahead of the final.
• Former Saudi international Ahmed Ateef criticized defender Hassan Tambakti for his poor penalty execution in the shootout.
• Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said Saudi Arabia were the tournament's best team and cited fatigue and weather for the loss.
• The UAE Football Association doubled its private fan planes to Jeddah from six to twelve ahead of Tuesday's final.
• The UAE reached the Gulf Cup final for the fourth time after beating Oman 1-0 in the semifinal.