Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are set to face each other in the final of the 27th Gulf Cup on Tuesday, marking the first time the two teams will meet at this stage of the tournament. The match will pit two regional football powerhouses against each other, each aiming to add to their Gulf Cup legacy.
Saudi Arabia, known as the Green Falcons, are seeking their fourth Gulf Cup title, having last won the competition in 2003. The team has a strong history in the tournament, with three prior championships secured in 1994, 2002, and 2003. Their first victory came in the UAE in 1994, followed by successes on home soil in 2002 and in Kuwait in 2003. In addition to their wins, Saudi Arabia has finished as runners-up seven times, most recently in 2019, and this final will mark their 11th appearance in the tournament’s decisive stage. Despite their successes, the Green Falcons have faced setbacks as well, failing to advance past the group stage in 2004, 2013, 2017, and 2023, and they did not participate in the 1990 edition.
The UAE, who are striving for a third Gulf Cup title, last lifted the trophy in 2013. Their prior victories came in 2007 and 2013, with the first championship won on home ground after a final against Oman. The UAE have reached the final on six previous occasions, finishing as runners-up four times during the late 1980s and 1990s and again in 2017. The team has experienced mixed results in recent tournaments, being eliminated in the group stages in 2004, 2009, 2019, 2023, and 2024.
Historically, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have met 18 times in Gulf Cup competition. Saudi Arabia holds the edge in these encounters, winning 10 matches compared to the UAE’s four, with four games ending in draws. The Green Falcons have scored 24 goals in these meetings, while the UAE have netted 13. Their rivalry dates back to 1972, when Saudi Arabia defeated the UAE 4-0 in Riyadh. The UAE earned their first Gulf Cup victory over Saudi Arabia in 1982 with a 1-0 win at home.
The teams have also crossed paths three times in Gulf Cup semifinals. The UAE prevailed 1-0 in 2007, while Saudi Arabia secured 1-0 victories in 2010 and 3-2 in 2014. However, Tuesday’s final will be the first time they compete against each other for the championship.
This final encapsulates the competitive history and contrasting fortunes of two of the Gulf’s most successful national teams. Saudi Arabia aims to end a 23-year title drought, while the UAE looks to capture their first Gulf Cup crown in over a decade. The outcome will add a significant chapter to the football rivalry between these neighboring nations.