Arabian Gulf Cup U23 2026/27

The Arabian Gulf Cup U23 is a regional football tournament for under-23 national teams. Founded in 2008 by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the competition began in Saudi Arabia, where the host nation won the inaugural edition. The tournament was organized by the GCC until 2016, after which it went dormant. It was relaunched in 2025 by the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), which has since been renamed the Gulf Football Federation (GFF).

The competition sits below the senior Arabian Gulf Cup, which was founded in 1970, and serves as a developmental and Olympic preparation tournament for young players in the region. The 2025 edition, held in Doha, Qatar, from December 4 to 16, featured eight teams: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. The format consisted of two groups of four teams, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Saudi Arabia U23 won the 2025 tournament, defeating Iraq U23 2-0 in the final at Stadium 974. This marked Saudi Arabia's fifth title overall, making them the most successful team in the tournament's history. Other winners include the UAE, Oman, and Bahrain. The tournament is distinct from the senior Gulf Cup in player age eligibility and frequency, being held less regularly. The 2025 edition saw joint top scorers Thamer Al-Khaibari of Saudi Arabia and Mostafa El-Sayed of Qatar with three goals each, and Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa of Saudi Arabia named Best Player.