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Sports / Qatar Sport

Gulf Cup for Veteran Players set to kick off with eight teams

Published: 30 Oct 2026 - 11:11 am | Last Updated: 30 Oct 2026 - 11:11 am

The Peninsula

Doha: The second edition of the Gulf Cup for Veteran Football Players kicks off today, with eight national teams competing in Qatar until November 5.

Organised by the Gulf Football Federation in collaboration with Qatar’s Local Organising Committee, the tournament will bring together former stars in the region for a week of competition celebrating the region’s rich footballing heritage.

The 15-match tournament will be held across three venues: Grand Hamad Stadium, Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium and Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.

Hosts Qatar will open their Group B campaign against Bahrain at Grand Hamad Stadium. The same venue will host the other Group B fixture between the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

In Group A, Saudi Arabia will face Kuwait at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, while defending champions Iraq begin their title defence against Oman at the same venue.

Iraq, winners of the inaugural edition, are grouped with Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain and Yemen make up Group B.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Tuesday at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, with the final set for Thursday, November 5, at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.