The Gulf Football Federation (GFF) is set to conduct the draw for the second edition of the U-17 Gulf Cup at its headquarters in Doha on Thursday. The tournament will be hosted by Qatar from October 16 to November 4.

This year’s competition will feature 10 teams, an increase of two from the inaugural event held last year. The eight Gulf Football Federation member countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Yemen—will be joined by Egypt and China for the first time.

Organizers said the expansion aims to expose young players to a stronger and more diverse field, thereby improving their technical abilities and competitive experience. This development is intended to better prepare the participants for upcoming international tournaments, particularly the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which Qatar will also host from November through December 2026.

In the previous edition, Saudi Arabia secured the championship by defeating the UAE 2-0 in the final. The inclusion of Egypt and China reflects the federation’s intention to raise the tournament’s profile and offer broader regional and international engagement for the development of youth football.