The UAE will meet hosts Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup final in Jeddah on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 10pm UAE time. Saudi Arabia enter the match as favourites at the 60,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, where home support is expected to be a major factor.

The final brings together the two sides described as the tournament’s best teams. Saudi Arabia, three-time Asian champions with seven FIFA World Cup appearances, have long been among the region’s most consistent national teams. Qatar have also become a major force after winning the 2019 and 2023 Asian Cups, but Saudi Arabia’s experience on major stages remains notable.

Saudi Arabia’s route to the final

Georgios Donis’ Saudi side began the 2026 Gulf Cup with a 1-0 Group A win over Kuwait, the record 10-time champions. They followed that result with a 3-0 victory against Oman and a 2-0 win over Iraq to complete their group campaign.

The semifinal against Qatar was more demanding. After a goalless draw, Saudi Arabia progressed with a 3-2 win on penalties in a contest that left both teams exhausted.

Donis praised his players after the match, saying: “I congratulate the players on their high-level performance and tenacity; they gave their all in a difficult match against an experienced opponent that plays with a solid defensive setup.”

The Greek coach also highlighted the contribution of Saudi supporters. “After the match ended, I asked the players to thank and congratulate the fans, who had an impact on us during the game,” Donis said.

Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui similarly said the crowd had given the hosts an advantage. “We faced a very strong crowd that played a significant role and gave the Saudi team an advantage, and we also faced a strong team playing on home soil,” he said.

Saudi Arabia will again look to that support in the final. The country’s fans were prominent when the team defeated Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the atmosphere in Jeddah could present a difficult challenge for the UAE.

UAE seek to extend strong tournament run

The UAE have also reached the final on the back of convincing performances. The Whites opened their Group B campaign with a 4-0 win over Yemen before beating defending champions Bahrain 3-0. A 1-1 draw with Qatar completed the group stage, followed by a 1-0 semifinal victory over Oman.

The squad, which includes both homegrown talent and foreign-born players, have played attractive football during the tournament. Thousands of Emirati supporters are expected to travel to Jeddah on special flights for Tuesday’s final, although the contest will ultimately be decided by how the teams perform in key moments on the pitch.

Zlatko Dalic, who took charge of the UAE last August, has overseen the team’s run to the final. The UAE have not qualified for a World Cup since their debut at Italia 1990. Dalic previously guided Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final and to the semifinals at Qatar 2022.

A victory would give the UAE their first Gulf Cup title since 2013. It would also provide a boost before the 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled for January 7 to February 5 in Saudi Arabia.

Dalic said Saudi Arabia’s home setting and record in the tournament made them a formidable opponent. “We will face Saudi Arabia, the best team in the tournament. They have a clean sheet, and they have the advantage of home ground and stadium. This is a difficult challenge for us, but we are ready and our goal is the title,” he said on Monday.

Donis said the UAE’s tactical organisation would make the final challenging. “The UAE is one of the best teams in this tournament, and it has clear tactical discipline, while their coach Zlatko Dalic has a precise reading of every detail of the matches,” he said.

Both coaches expressed mutual respect before the match. On Tuesday, however, Saudi Arabia will pursue the trophy in front of their home crowd while the UAE attempt to end a title wait that has lasted since 2013.