Gulf Cup 27: UAE drawn with Yemen, Bahrain and Qatar as Jeddah schedule is announced
Gulf Cup 27 schedule announced: UAE to face Yemen, Bahrain and Qatar in Jeddah between Sept 24–30; opening day on Sept 23 features Iraq vs Oman and Saudi vs Kuwait.
The Gulf Cup 27 schedule was released with the tournament set to run in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6.
The United Arab Emirates national team, drawn into Group B, will begin its campaign on September 24 against Yemen, with all times listed in UAE time.
Matches for the Emirati side are scheduled at major Jeddah venues and include fixtures against Bahrain on September 27 and Qatar on September 30.
UAE to open against Yemen on September 24 at King Abdullah Sports City
The UAE will kick off its campaign against Yemen on Thursday, September 24 at King Abdullah Sports City.
Kickoff for that match is scheduled at 7:55 p.m. UAE time, according to the published fixtures.
That game marks the first of three group-stage tests for the Emirati team as they seek to advance to the knockout rounds.
Group B fixtures and kickoff times for Emirati matches
After the opening fixture, the UAE will meet Bahrain on Sunday, September 27 at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.
That encounter is scheduled to start at 10:00 p.m. UAE time, providing a late-evening slot for fans across the Emirates.
The round-robin concludes for the UAE on Wednesday, September 30 with a match against Qatar at King Abdullah Sports City at 9:30 p.m. UAE time.
Opening day in Jeddah set for September 23 with Iraq, Oman, Saudi and Kuwait
The tournament opens on Wednesday, September 23 with two Group A fixtures staged in Jeddah.
Iraq will face Oman in the first match of the day, followed by hosts Saudi Arabia taking on Kuwait in the second fixture.
Those opening clashes set the tone for the competition and precede the Group B kickoff the following day.
Venues King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal to host key ties
King Abdullah Sports City will host multiple high-profile matches, including two of the UAE’s group games.
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium will stage the UAE’s meeting with Bahrain and is expected to accommodate late-night kickoffs favored by television schedules.
Both venues have been central to Jeddah’s preparations to stage this edition of the Gulf Cup and are listed as primary hosts in the official calendar.
UAE’s path to the knockout phase detailed by schedule
The sequence of matches gives the UAE limited recovery time between fixtures, with three group matches in a seven-day span.
A positive result in the opening match against Yemen will be pivotal to building momentum ahead of the tougher tests against Bahrain and Qatar.
Given the compressed timetable, squad rotation and fitness management will be central to the national team’s strategy.
Broadcasting windows and fan arrangements highlighted by organizers
Organizers have confirmed local kickoff times with an eye to regional broadcast partners and stadium attendance patterns.
Evening start times for UAE matches reflect both television scheduling and anticipated fan interest across Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Fans planning to attend matches in Jeddah should monitor venue guidance and ticket release information as the tournament approaches.
The Gulf Cup 27 draw and match schedule give the UAE a clear roadmap for the group stage, setting up a compact run of fixtures in late September.
With the opening day in Jeddah featuring regional heavyweights and the Emirati side’s matches spaced across two major stadiums, preparation and squad depth will be decisive factors.
Supporters across the Emirates can mark September 24, 27 and 30 in their calendars as the national team pursues progression from Group B toward the knockout rounds.
