Iraq to face Oman in Gulf Cup 27 opener in Saudi Arabia on September 23

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait — The Gulf Arab Cup Football Federation has released the match schedule, kickoff times and venues for the 27th Gulf Cup, to be hosted in Saudi Arabia. The tournament opens on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. local time with Iraq taking on Oman at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. Later that day, hosts Saudi Arabia meet Kuwait at 9 p.m. at King Abdullah Sports Stadium. Group-stage fixtures on September 25 feature the United Arab Emirates against Yemen and Qatar against Bahrain, followed on September 26 by Iraq–Kuwait and Saudi Arabia–Oman. On September 27, Qatar faces Yemen and the UAE takes on Bahrain. Iraq wraps up its group campaign against Saudi Arabia at 8:30 p.m. on September 29 at King Abdullah Sports Stadium. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, with the final set for Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at King Abdullah Sports Stadium. The eight-team tournament includes the national teams of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.