Gulf Cup contests intensify as Bahrain and UAE gear up for clash

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Bahrain and the UAE will compete in the second round of Group B at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, with Bahrain seeking recovery after a loss and the UAE aiming to maintain momentum following a decisive win. Meanwhile, a disciplinary committee upheld Qatar's midfielder Assim Madibo’s eligibility, confirming his suspension applies only to World Cup qualifiers and not the Gulf Cup, affecting group standings.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to face off in the second round of Group B at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup, taking place at King Faisal City Stadium in Jeddah on September 26. The match kicks off at 9 p.m., with Bahrain aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 opening loss to Qatar. The UAE, meanwhile, hopes to extend its strong start after a commanding 4-0 victory over Yemen.

Defending champions Bahrain, coached by Croatian Dragan Talajic, experienced a challenging opening match, falling to Qatar. The UAE, led by another Croatian coach, Zlatko Dalic, began its campaign on a high note. Dalic, who succeeded Romanian Cosmin Olariu this summer, brings extensive international experience to the squad, having guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and presided over a period marked by consistent performances in major tournaments. The UAE’s ambitions under Dalic include bolstering its Gulf Cup credentials, competing strongly in the Asian Cup, and breaking a lengthy absence from World Cup qualification, with its only prior appearance dating back to Italy 1990.

Earlier the same day, Qatar will face Yemen at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City at 6:55 p.m. Following their 2-0 victory against Bahrain, Qatar, coached by Spanish manager Julen Lopetegui, is in a favorable position to secure a semifinal berth with another win. For Yemen, a team coached by Algerian Noureddine Ould Ali, the task is more difficult. Having suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to the UAE in their opening match, Yemen must strive for at least a draw, if not a win, to preserve its chances of advancing for the first time in the competition’s history. Yemen’s prospects will also hinge on the results of their final group match against Bahrain.

Off the field, the Gulf Cup Disciplinary Committee has dismissed Bahrain’s protest regarding the eligibility of Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo, who played in the opening match. Bahrain had contended that Madibo was under suspension for five matches following an incident during the 2026 World Cup and should have been ineligible to participate. However, the committee clarified that Madibo’s suspension does not apply to the Arabian Gulf Cup, which operates independently of FIFA competitions. His ban will instead be served during Qatar’s 2030 World Cup qualifying matches. Qatar’s victory over Bahrain earned them three crucial points in the group standings.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.