Qatar will host the second edition of the U-17 Gulf Cup from October 16 to November 4, 2026, with the competition featuring a record 10 teams. The Gulf Football Federation conducted the official draw, assigning the participating nations into two groups.

Group A comprises the hosts Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, and China. Group B includes the reigning champions Saudi Arabia, as well as Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, and Egypt. The tournament’s expansion to 10 teams marks the largest field in the competition’s history, incorporating all eight Gulf Cooperation Council member associations—UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Yemen—alongside invited teams Egypt and China.

The tournament format advances the top two teams from each group to the semi-finals. The knockout stage will feature cross-group pairings, with each group winner facing the other group’s runner-up. Notably, there will be no extra time during the semi-finals or final; tied matches at the end of regulation will be decided by penalty shootouts.

Organized by the Local Organizing Committee in Qatar in coordination with the Gulf Football Federation, the U-17 Gulf Cup serves as a key developmental platform for young players in the region. It also provides competitive preparation for teams set to participate in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, which will be held in the same country.

The inaugural edition of the tournament took place in 2025 at Grand Hamad Stadium, where Saudi Arabia claimed the title with a 2-0 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the final. The upcoming edition is anticipated to build on that foundation by bringing together a broader group of teams and fostering stronger competition among emerging youth talents in the Gulf and beyond.