Record 10 Teams Set for Gulf U-17 Cup in Qatar

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September 9, 2026
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9-September-2026

Record 10 Teams Set for Gulf U-17 Cup in Qatar

DOHA  – The Gulf Football Federation has announced that 10 national teams will compete in the second edition of the Gulf U-17 Cup, to be hosted by Qatar from October 16 to November 4, 2026.

The tournament will bring together the national teams of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and Yemen, along with Egypt and China, making it the largest edition in the competition's history.

The expanded participation will provide the teams with valuable competitive experience and opportunities to face different opponents as they prepare for upcoming international competitions, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 for qualified teams.

The Qatar Local Organizing Committee will organize the tournament in cooperation with the Gulf Football Federation.

The official draw will be held Thursday at noon Doha time by videoconference from the federation's headquarters. It will determine the two groups and the tournament schedule.

The teams have been placed into five pots based on the rankings from the federation's latest tournament in the same age category: Pot 1: Qatar, Saudi Arabia Pot 2: United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Pot 3: Kuwait, Oman, Pot 4: Yemen, Bahrain, Pot 5: Egypt, China.

The 10 teams will be divided into two groups of five. Qatar will head Group A as host, while defending champions Saudi Arabia will head Group B.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals. The winner of Group A will play the runner-up of Group B, while the winner of Group B will meet the runner-up of Group A. Any semifinal or final match that ends level after regulation time will be decided by a penalty shootout.

The Gulf U-17 Cup is an important youth competition that aims to develop young talent, provide national teams with valuable competitive experience and strengthen cooperation among Gulf football associations.

Saudi Arabia won the inaugural edition, hosted by Qatar in 2025, after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final at Grand Hamad Stadium.