• It is noted that Yemen was the last country to join the tournament in the 2003 edition, while the competition began in 1970 with four teams (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar), before the UAE (1972), Oman (1974), and Iraq (1976) joined.

The Gulf Football Federation put an end to widespread speculation that had recently circulated regarding plans to expand participation in the Arab Gulf Cup (Khaleeji) to include Arab national teams from outside the region, such as Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Algeria.

Tournament system "fixed" for senior teams

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper cited informed sources within the federation, who firmly denied the accuracy of these reports, confirming that the tournament system will remain as it is (with the participation of the six Gulf states + Iraq and Yemen), without adding any other teams to the main competition scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in September.

Expansion only for juniors

The sources explained that the confusion may result from the federation’s plans to develop youth categories, as the idea of expanding participation and inviting other Arab teams will be limited only to the "Gulf Cup for juniors" competitions, and not the senior national teams.

Historical overview

It is noted that Yemen was the last country to join the tournament in the 2003 edition, while the competition began in 1970 with four teams (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar), before the UAE (1972), Oman (1974), and Iraq (1976) joined.