Rare Gulf Cup draw set to decide Saudi Arabia’s semi-final opponent

The second semi-finalist from Group A at the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup, Khaleeji 27, is set to be decided by a draw after Iraq and Oman finished level on every available tiebreaker.

Saudi Arabia secured top spot in the group with a 2-0 victory over Iraq on Tuesday at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah. The result gave the hosts a perfect record of nine points from three matches.

At the same time, Oman produced a late turnaround against Kuwait, recovering from a one-goal deficit to win 3-1. The victory prompted Oman’s players to celebrate their qualification for the semi-finals, although the team remained completely level with Iraq in the group standings and disciplinary record.

Both Iraq and Oman finished with four points. They drew 1-1 in their meeting, while each side scored four goals and conceded five. They also received eight yellow cards apiece, with neither team shown a red card.

With no sporting or disciplinary measure separating the two sides, the Gulf Cup Football Federation was expected to hold a draw at a hotel in Jeddah to determine which team would join Saudi Arabia in the semi-finals.

Saudi newspaper Al Sharq Al-Awsat reported that the draw would take place shortly, highlighting how unusual the situation was in a major football tournament. Although drawing lots is included in the regulations of competitions around the world, it is rarely required in practice to settle qualification from a group stage.

An alert published by Al Sharq Al-Awsat’s sports account on 29 September 2026 said: “Sources of Al Sharq Al-Awsat: A draw between Iraq and Oman to decide the qualifier for the semi-finals of the Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament, Khaleeji 27, will be held shortly at the InterContinental Hotel in Jeddah, following Oman’s 3-1 victory over Kuwait and Iraq’s 2-0 defeat by Saudi Arabia.”

The outcome will determine Saudi Arabia’s semi-final opponent, with the group stage ending in a rare circumstance in which Iraq and Oman cannot be separated by points, goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results or fair-play records.