Gulf Night in Historic Jeddah Draws the Roadmap for “Khaleeji 27”
Historic Jeddah transformed into a vibrant Gulf football stage on Tuesday evening as the draw ceremony for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup took place at AlMidan, located within the Cultural Square at the Red Sea International Film Festival’s Art Center.
The event brought together senior sports officials, football representatives, media figures, and Gulf football legends in a celebration that honored the tournament’s long-standing history and showcased some of its most memorable moments through a visual and artistic presentation inspired by the heritage of the Gulf Cup and the cultural identity of Historic Jeddah.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Badr bin Abdulrahman Al-Qadi, Deputy Minister of Sport; Yasser bin Hassan Al-Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and Jassim Sultan Al-Rumaihi, Secretary General of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation, alongside presidents and representatives of Gulf football associations, national team coaches, former players, and distinguished sports and media personalities.
The evening highlighted the journey of the Gulf Cup since its inaugural edition, revisiting defining milestones and unforgettable football memories that have shaped generations of Gulf football fans. The program blended sport, culture, and heritage in an atmosphere that reflected the tournament’s special place across the region.
The draw placed the eight participating national teams into the following groups:
Group A
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait
Group B
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen
Saudi Arabia will host the tournament from 23 September to 6 October 2026 in Jeddah, with matches taking place at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. It will mark the first time the Gulf Cup is hosted in Jeddah, supported by an integrated operational and organizational framework that reflects the Kingdom’s continued growth in staging major international sporting events.
On this occasion, Jassim Sultan Al-Rumaihi, Secretary General of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation, expressed his delight with the atmosphere surrounding the draw ceremony and praised the strong presence of Gulf football officials and participating teams. He also expressed confidence that the upcoming edition in Jeddah would deliver the same level of excitement and competitive spirit associated with the tournament throughout its history.
Al-Rumaihi noted that the draw promises highly competitive matches between all eight teams, adding that Gulf fans can look forward to a tournament filled with strong rivalries and intense competition for the title. He also highlighted that this will be Saudi Arabia’s fifth time hosting the Gulf Cup, with extensive efforts being made by the Local Organizing Committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to deliver an exceptional edition.
He further emphasized the tournament’s historic importance, describing it as a sporting legacy passed down through generations and one that has played a major role in shaping Gulf football achievements over the decades.
Al-Rumaihi added that the Gulf Cup has contributed significantly to preparing Gulf national teams for continental and international competitions, including AFC Asian Cup campaigns and FIFA World Cup qualification. He also highlighted the tournament’s role in developing sports infrastructure across the region and nurturing generations of administrative and sporting talent.
He concluded by stating that the upcoming tournament in September will serve as an ideal preparation stage for Gulf teams ahead of the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia early next year, which will further raise the technical and competitive level of the tournament.
For her part, Mai Al-Hallabi, CEO of the Saudi Arabia AFC Asian Cup 2027 Local Organizing Committee, said that hosting the draw ceremony in Historic Jeddah reflects Saudi Arabia’s vision of delivering sporting events through integrated experiences that combine sport, culture, and tourism. She confirmed that preparations are progressing according to the highest standards to present a tournament that reflects the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for major sporting events.
She added that the tournament continues Saudi Arabia’s growing journey in hosting regional, continental, and international events, supported by advanced infrastructure, extensive organizational expertise, and the passionate fan culture associated with Gulf football. Al-Hallabi also noted that bringing “Khaleeji 27” to Jeddah and the Red Sea coast introduces a fresh dimension to the tournament and highlights the diversity of Saudi cities and their ability to host world-class sporting competitions.
The ceremony concluded in a celebratory atmosphere attended by fans and media representatives, officially launching the countdown to one of the region’s most anticipated sporting events, a tournament deeply connected to the memories and passion of Gulf football fans across generations.