Bahrain Ready for Gulf Cup Opener Against Saudi Arabia

TDT | Manama

Email : hussianm@newsofbahrain

The Kingdom’s campaign kicks off in Kuwait City this Sunday

Bahrain is gearing up to face Saudi Arabia in their opening match of the highly anticipated 26th Gulf Cup this Sunday. The match, set to kick off at 8:30 PM Bahrain time, will take place at Kuwait City’s Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium, as Bahrain looks to reclaim the title they last won in 2019.

Head coach Dragan Talajic has unveiled a 26-man squad, blending veterans with fresh talent. Notable inclusions include seasoned players like Sayed Mohammed Jaafar, Ismaeel Abdullatif, and Sayed Dhiya Saeed, alongside key attackers Komail Al Aswad, Ali Madan, and Mahdi Humaidan. New call-ups include Mohammed Al Rumaihi and Mohammed Adel, while Ahmed Nabeel, Moses Atede, and Ali Haram missed out.

 Tournament Format and Bahrain’s Group

The 26th Gulf Cup, organised by the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), features eight nations divided into two groups. Bahrain is placed in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Yemen, while Group A consists of hosts Kuwait, Oman, UAE, and Qatar.

Following their clash with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain will face Iraq on Christmas Day and conclude the group stage against Yemen on December 28. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

Historical Context

Bahrain’s last Gulf Cup triumph came in 2019, when they defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final. Mohammed Al Rumaihi, who scored the decisive goal in that match, returns to the squad for this year’s campaign. In the previous edition, Bahrain topped their group but fell short in the semi-finals against Oman.

Fans are hopeful that Bahrain can recapture the magic of their 2019 run and secure their second Gulf Cup title.