2026 Gulf Cup: Morocco as a guest star?

Towards a historic change of scale for the "Khaleeji"? According to several media reports, the organizers of the next Gulf Cup, which is to be held in September 2026 in the Saudi capital, are seriously considering expanding the list of participants. Historically reserved for the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the competition could open up to leading nations such as Morocco, Jordan, Egypt and Algeria.

The stated objective of the Federation is clear: to boost the attractiveness of the tournament. By integrating global selections or African champions, the organizers hope to raise the technical level, but above all to maximize the marketing and media impact of a competition that is seeking to reinvent itself. If validated, this opening would transform the Gulf Cup into a true "small Arab Cup", offering prestigious matches in the ultra-modern stadiums of Riyadh.

For now, the project is still under study. The technical discussions concerning the format, the number of teams and the invitation mechanism must take place shortly before any official announcement. But Saudi Arabia’s ambition to make this edition an exceptional event could well accelerate things, offering the Atlas Lions a new opportunity to shine on the regional stage.