Gulf Cup 2026 — Saudi Arabia ends 22-year wait for title

Saudi Arabia won the Gulf Cup for the first time since 2004. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Saudi Arabia ended its 22-year-long wait to lift the Gulf Cup with a 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday.

Hammam Al Hammami’s deflected strike from the edge of the box gave it the lead in the 11th minute of the match before Feras Al Brikan doubled the lead from close range two minutes later.

Georgios Donis’ side came close to adding a third when Saleh Abu Alshamat struck the bar.

UAE thought it had found an avenue back into the game when it was awarded a penalty towards the end of the first half, but the decision was overturned by VAR.

ALSO READ: ‘I will miss this’: Lionel Messi gives passionate speech, bids farewell to Argentina after last match

“We are very happy... there were many difficulties, but the players showed concentration and discipline and gave their maximum on ​the pitch,” Donis told a ‌press conference.

“I think we turned those difficulties into a title, and that is important. We were the best team in this competition. This title gives us confidence for the future, and we ‌have to keep showing the same qualities” he added.

This is Saudi Arabia’s fourth Gulf Cup title, and its first since the 2004 edition of the tournament.