Wednesday 07 / October / 2026
Jeddah: On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, under whose patronage the tournament was held, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz presented the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup (Khaleeji 27) trophy to the Saudi national team on Tuesday. Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates 2–0 in the final at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, winning the Kingdom's fourth Gulf Cup title.
Also at the final were Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several princes and officials.
The minister of sport thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his patronage of the tournament. "We take pride in the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for this tournament," he said in a press statement. "This gracious attention from the wise leadership reflects the esteemed status of the Arabian Gulf Cup and its deep-rooted sporting and historical value for our brothers in the Gulf countries, who are united by bonds of brotherhood."
He added: "I extend my sincere congratulations to our wise leadership on our national team's victory in this cherished championship, which holds great significance for us as Gulf citizens."
He commended the Saudi fans for their unwavering support throughout the campaign and praised all participating teams for their exemplary sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
He concluded: "I express my deep gratitude to all the organizing bodies and committees, staff, and volunteers for their tremendous efforts from the preparatory stages to the tournament's conclusion. Their coordination, cooperation, and dedication contributed to the success of this edition and ensured the tournament was presented in a manner befitting the stature of the Gulf Cup and the value it holds for the people of the region."
Jeddah hosted the tournament for the first time, from September 23 to October 6. The eight national teams played 15 matches at King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.
Gulf Football Federation president praises Gulf Cup 27 success
President of the Gulf Football Federation (GFF) Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani affirmed that the success of the 27th Gulf Cup reflects the tournament’s standing and continued evolution while preserving its identity and longstanding legacy.
He said, “We congratulate the Saudi national team on winning the Gulf Cup 27 title, and congratulate the UAE national team on reaching the final and on its performance throughout the tournament. We also extend our congratulations and appreciation to all the participating teams that contributed to the success of this edition.”
He added, “What we witnessed in Jeddah throughout the tournament once again confirms the standing of the Gulf Cup among the people of the region. The large attendance, strong competition on the field, and extensive media coverage of the tournament all reflect the value of this competition and what it represents for Gulf football.”
He expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the tournament, as well as to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the local organizing committee, and all entities and teams involved in organizing it. He also commended the role of fans, media outlets, and partners in the success of the 27th edition.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President and FIFA Senior Vice President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa congratulated the Saudi national football team on winning the Arabian Gulf Cup 27, affirming that the achievement reflects the distinguished standing of Saudi football at the regional and continental levels.
He praised the Saudi team's strong performances throughout the Gulf Cup, highlighting the determination and resilience the players showed in their matches.
The AFC president said the Gulf Cup 27 featured strong competition among the participating teams and provided valuable preparation ahead of their participation in the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa also praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s successful hosting of the Gulf Cup 27, noting that the event was organized in an outstanding manner that reflected the Kingdom’s strong reputation for hosting sporting events at various levels.
