Jeddah is preparing for a defining moment in Gulf football. The draw ceremony for the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup — Khaleeji 27 — takes place this Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Culture Square, the art center of the Red Sea International Film Festival complex in Historic Jeddah, will host the event at 4:00 PM.
A distinguished crowd will fill the venue. Gulf Cup Football Federation President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani will attend, alongside Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal. Federation officials, team representatives from all eight competing nations, and celebrated Gulf football legends will also be present.
Every participating association has confirmed attendance. Several national team managers and head coaches will join the ceremony in person, reflecting the weight this event carries across the region.
Preparations in Jeddah are running at full pace. Secretary General of the Gulf Cup Football Federation, Jassim Sultan Al Rumaihi, has already arrived in the city with his delegation. His team is finalizing organizational arrangements and holding coordination meetings to ensure everything runs without a hitch.
Eight Teams, Two Venues, One Trophy
Khaleeji 27 runs from September 23 to October 6, 2026. Jeddah hosts all matches across two venues — King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. This marks Saudi Arabia’s fifth time hosting the Gulf Cup, following editions in 1972, 1988, 2002, and 2014. It also marks the fifth edition of the Gulf Cup Football Federation has organized since taking over the tournament.
Eight nations will compete: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Yemen.
Khaleeji 27 in Jeddah: How the Draw Works
Officials have split the eight teams into four pots using the FIFA World Rankings from April 1, 2026:
- Pot 1: Qatar (55th) and Iraq (57th)
- Pot 2: Saudi Arabia (61st) and UAE (68th)
- Pot 3: Oman (79th) and Bahrain (91st)
- Pot 4: Kuwait (134th) and Yemen (149th)
The draw will place one team from each pot into each group. This ensures no two teams from the same pot face each other in the group stage.
As hosts, Saudi Arabia automatically tops Group A and will play the tournament’s opening match. The UAE will lead Group B from the same seeding position.
More Than Just Football – Khaleeji 27 Is a Vibe
Each group plays a full round-robin. The top two teams from each group advance to the semi-finals. The Group A winners face the Group B runners-up, and the Group B winners face the Group A runners-up. The two semi-final winners then meet in the final.
The draw ceremony also brings several Federation committees together. The Competitions, Referees, and Media committees will all hold meetings on the sidelines. Each will review operational plans and work programs ahead of the tournament kick-off.
The Arabian Gulf Cup has stood as one of the Arab world’s most beloved sporting events for over five decades. Bahrain hosted the first edition in 1970. Since then, the tournament has grown into a celebration of Gulf identity, brotherhood, and shared culture. Fifty-six years on, Khaleeji 27 arrives in Jeddah — and the stage is set for something memorable.