UAE book first final since 2018
JEDDAH — October 4, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Arabia in the final of the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup after both sides survived nerve-shredding semifinals in Jeddah on Saturday, setting up a heavyweight Gulf showdown at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday.
The UAE booked their place first with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Oman at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium. Forward Ousmane Camara was the hero, heading home from close range in the 22nd minute to silence the Omani support and send Zlatko Dalic’s side into their first Gulf Cup final since 2018.
It was far from comfortable. UAE playmaker Nicolas Gimenez squandered a second-half penalty in the 56th minute, and Oman — who had reached the semifinals in remarkable fashion after advancing ahead of Iraq by lot — threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. The UAE held firm to claim a famous result.
“After we missed the penalty, of course we changed three players. We put in new guys, they brought something new to the team and the game, more energy, and changed the rhythm,” Dalic told Abu Dhabi Sports TV after the match. “But we never gave up. I told my players, we worked hard for the last 20 days for what? For this night, for this game.”
The victory keeps alive the UAE’s bid for a third Gulf Cup crown, following their triumphs in 2007 and 2013.
Al Owais the hero as Saudis survive shootout
Hosts Saudi Arabia endured an even more agonizing route to the final, edging Asian champions Qatar 3-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes in a tense, low-quality semifinal earlier in the day.
Goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais, 34, was the undisputed hero of the shootout, producing two crucial saves to deny Jassem Gaber and Boualem Khoukhi from the spot — remarkably saving Khoukhi’s kick twice after the first was ordered to be retaken. Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Mohammed Kanno and the decisive kick from Mukhtar Ali converted for the Green Falcons, while Hassan Tambakti and Firas Al-Buraikan missed.
Qatar, managed by Julen Lopetegui, were solid defensively and came closest to breaking the deadlock in open play when substitute Edmilson struck the crossbar late in the second half. Edmilson and Al-Jarhi scored in the shootout, but Almoez Ali, Jassem Gaber and Khoukhi all failed to convert. The main talking point for Qatar, observers said, was talisman Akram Afif’s frustrated reaction after being substituted in the 69th minute.
Two droughts, one trophy
Tuesday’s final, to be played at Alinma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City with kickoff at 9pm local time (10pm UAE time), pits two nations desperate to end long waits. The UAE have not lifted the trophy since 2013, while Saudi Arabia’s most recent Gulf Cup triumph came in 2004 — a 22-year drought the home crowd will expect to end on home soil.
Fans in the UAE can watch the final on Abu Dhabi Sports, with the broadcaster also streaming coverage through its official YouTube channel and X account.
