Gulf Cup 27 opens in Jeddah with eight teams competing for the regional title

The 27th Arabian Gulf Cup begins September 23 in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia hosts eight national teams in two groups.

• The tournament runs September 23 to October 6 across two Jeddah venues, King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
• Group A pairs hosts Saudi Arabia with Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait, while Group B features holders Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Yemen.
• Saudi Arabia said it excluded midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr from its camp for "disciplinary reasons" and called up Mukhtar Ali as his replacement.
• Qatar announced it excluded goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham from its squad after injury, naming Shehab Al-Lethi as his replacement.
• The Gulf Football Association said only Al-Kass, Oman Sport, and Shasha will broadcast the tournament, after all channels were approached, per Secretary-General Jassim al-Rumaihi.
• The tournament opens Wednesday with Iraq vs. Oman and Saudi Arabia vs. Kuwait, followed Thursday by UAE vs. Yemen and Bahrain vs. Qatar.
• The Gulf Football Federation said additional broadcasters beyond Al-Kass, Oman Sport, and Shasha would be announced later.
• Jeddah is hosting the Gulf Cup for the first time in the tournament's history.
• The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.
• The Gulf Football Association announced total prize money of $1.5 million, with the champion receiving $1 million and the runner-up $500,000.
• The tournament's best player will receive an apartment as a gift, the association said.
• Graham Arnold declared Iraq ready and aiming to win the title ahead of Wednesday's opener against Oman.