Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates meet in the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Jeddah Hosts the Arabian Gulf Cup Final Between Regional Rivals
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates clash in the Khaleeji 27 final on Tuesday evening. Kickoff is set for 21:00 Saudi time and 22:00 UAE time at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as Al-Inma Stadium.
The Green Falcons topped Group A with a flawless nine-point run against Kuwait, Oman, and Iraq, conceding no goals along the way. In the semifinals, Saudi Arabia edged past Qatar in a 3–2 penalty shootout following a scoreless draw through regular and extra time.
Meanwhile, the UAE secured the top spot in Group B with seven points, opening with convincing wins over Yemen and Bahrain before a 1–1 draw against Qatar. The Whites punched their ticket to the final when Othman Kamara scored in the 22nd minute to defeat Oman 1–0 in the semifinals.
Rivals Meet Again for the Tournament Crown
According to figures from Transfermarkt cited by regional media, the two nations have met 33 times across various official competitions. Historical records reflect 23 victories for Saudi Arabia and 7 for the UAE, alongside 9 draws, with their very first encounter dating back to a 4–0 Saudi win on March 19, 1972. Their most recent prior meeting finished in a scoreless stalemate during the Arab Cup on December 18, 2025.
Saudi Arabia seeks its fourth tournament title and first since 2003, aiming to break a 23-year drought after collecting past championships in 1994, 2002, and 2003. The UAE enters the match pursuing its third crown, following previous triumphs when hosting in 2007 and in Bahrain in 2013.
Fans Watch the Broadcast Across Multiple Networks
Fans can follow the match through multiple official viewing services, including digital platforms like Saudi Sports Shahid, MBC Shahid, Al Kass Shahid, and Sharjah Sports Shahid.
- Saudi Sports 1 with commentary from Fahad Al-Otaibi
- Abu Dhabi Sports 1 featuring Fares Awad
- Sharjah Sports with Musa Eid
- Al Kass 1 with Khalil Al Balushi
- Additional coverage across Oman Sports, Kuwait Sports, Bahrain Sports, SHASHA, and MBC Shahid
Whether Saudi Arabia will break its 23-year drought or the UAE will claim its third crown is not yet known.
