Saudi Arabia Names 26-Man Squad for Gulf Cup 27

Saudi Arabia has named a 26-player squad for Gulf Cup 27, the regional tournament set to be hosted in Jeddah from September 23 to October 6, 2026. The selection featured a notable shake-up, with several familiar names left out of the final list.

Forward Salem Al-Dawsari was omitted after picking up a knee-tendon injury that requires surgery, while defender Saud Abdulhamid was ruled out due to a thigh-muscle hematoma sustained during his time with Lens.

Six other players who featured in the 2026 World Cup were also excluded from the squad: Ahmed Al-Kassar, Ali Majrashi, Ali Lajami, Ayman Yahya, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Khalid Al-Ghannam. Ayman Yahya missed out through injury, while the remaining players were left out for technical reasons.

Why it matters

With Jeddah preparing to welcome fans and teams from across the Gulf, the tournament is expected to draw strong local interest. For residents and expats alike, hosting the competition on home soil offers a rare chance to watch regional football up close, and the squad announcement gives supporters an early look at the players who will represent the country on the pitch.

The changes to the lineup reflect a mix of injury absences and coaching decisions, signalling fresh opportunities for other members of the national setup ahead of a high-profile home tournament.

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