Oman Cling to Qualification Hopes in Gulf Cup 27

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Oman’s national football team must defeat Kuwait and depend on other results in the final Group A match to keep their Gulf Cup 27 hopes alive, despite injuries and a challenging start. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has secured a semifinal spot, Iraq leads the group with three points, and Iraq was announced as the host for the next Gulf Cup in 2028.

Oman’s national football team remains hopeful of advancing in the Gulf Cup 27 after head coach Tarik Sektioui emphasized the importance of their upcoming match against Kuwait in the final round of Group A. The decisive game will take place Tuesday at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium at 9:30 p.m. Oman time.

With one point from their first two matches—a draw against Iraq and a 3-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia—Oman must win against Kuwait and rely on other results to preserve their chances of progressing. Sektioui acknowledged the challenges facing his squad, including multiple absences and injuries that have hindered the team’s performance. Despite setbacks, the Moroccan coach affirmed his commitment to working toward both immediate and long-term goals, aiming to build a competitive national team while honoring the aspirations of Omani supporters.

“Kuwait will be a crucial test for us, and we will give our all as long as there remains a chance of qualification,” Sektioui said during a pre-match press conference. He described the previous loss to Saudi Arabia as harsh, considering the team’s efforts, and stressed that the current circumstances differ significantly from earlier tournaments.

Kuwait enters the final group game without points after losses to Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Portuguese coach Helio Sousa expressed determination to continue striving for victory despite the team’s elimination from contention. “We always play to win and to develop a new identity for the Blue,” Sousa stated. He also urged a forward-looking approach within Kuwaiti football, highlighting the ongoing development of other teams in the region.

Meanwhile, Iraq, holding three points after beating Kuwait, will face Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium simultaneously with Oman’s game. Iraq’s coach, Graham Arnold, indicated his squad has closely studied Saudi Arabia’s tactics, acknowledging the host nation’s strong players and pressing style. Arnold also noted the challenge posed by Saudi Arabia’s home advantage.

Saudi Arabia has already secured a semifinal spot with two consecutive victories and is aiming to finish top of the group. Assistant coach Serafim Angelinas said the team plans to maintain its winning mindset despite rotating some players. “Our ambition is to top the group, and all semifinalists are capable of winning the tournament,” he added.

In a related announcement, the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation confirmed that Iraq will host the 28th edition of the Gulf Cup, scheduled for December 2028. This tournament will mark Iraq’s return as host nation for the regional competition.

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.