Infantino in Jeddah: Gulf Cup 27 Reflects Saudi Arabia’s Passion for Football and Strengthens Its Global Presence
FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the momentum surrounding Saudi football during his attendance at the opening of the Arabian Gulf Cup, “Gulf Cup 27,” in Jeddah, coinciding with the Kingdom’s celebrations of its 96th National Day. The visit came on a night that saw the Saudi national team make a successful start after defeating Kuwait 1-0 in the opening round of Group A.
Infantino Praises Jeddah’s Atmosphere and the Fans’ Passion
Infantino said, according to an official statement published by FIFA today, Thursday, September 24, 2026, that being in Jeddah during Saudi National Day was a special experience. He pointed to the great enthusiasm shown by fans in the stands, saying the scene once again demonstrated football’s ability to bring people together.
The FIFA president attended the Saudi Arabia-Kuwait match and met with officials from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, as Jeddah hosts the Gulf tournament featuring eight national teams. The current edition began on September 23 and runs until October 6, with the final set to be held at King Abdullah Sports City.
An Edition Carrying Greater Weight in the International Rankings
The 27th edition carries added significance, as FIFA confirmed that it is the first time Gulf Cup matches have counted toward the FIFA men’s world ranking. This gives the tournament’s results a competitive dimension beyond the traditional contest for the Gulf title, particularly for teams preparing for upcoming continental and international competitions.
The Green opened its campaign with a 1-0 victory over Kuwait, while Iraq and Oman drew 1-1 in the other Group A match. Group B action begins today with matches between the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, followed by Qatar and defending champions Bahrain.
Saudi Arabia Continues to Expand Its Presence on the Football Map
FIFA linked the launch of Gulf Cup 27 to a growing series of major tournaments hosted by the Kingdom, pointing to the upcoming Asian Cup and then the 2034 World Cup. The world governing body also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s hosting of international and continental tournaments in recent years, as well as the development of the professional league and the presence of Saudi clubs in global competitions.
Saudi Arabia is hosting the Gulf Cup for the first time since 2014, while the tournament is being held in Jeddah for the first time after previous editions hosted by the Kingdom were concentrated in Riyadh. The Saudi national team is seeking its fourth Gulf title and its first since 2004, adding further fan momentum to the competition, which continues until early October.
After the Green’s Successful Start
Infantino’s comments come at a time when attention is turning to the Saudi national team’s ability to build on its opening victory. Alongside the tournament’s competitive value, hosting the event represents another organizational test for Jeddah amid a rapidly expanding sports calendar ahead of bigger commitments in the coming years.
The teams finishing first and second in each group will advance to the semifinals on October 3, before the final on October 6. With the results counting toward the international rankings, every match takes on added value for the participating teams, whether in the title race or in their international campaigns.
