King’s Cup Draw Sets Stage for 49th Edition

The road to Bahrain’s most prestigious domestic trophy began today as the Bahrain Football Association conducted the draw for the 49th King’s Cup at the Bahrain Defence Force. Representatives from clubs across the kingdom attended the ceremony, highlighting the tradition and significance of a competition widely regarded as the crown jewel of Bahraini football.

The King’s Cup has carried its current name since 2003 and remains the premier knockout tournament in the men’s game. It was previously known as the Emir Cup between 1952 and 1959 and again from 1978 to 2002, and it was also known as the Federation Cup from 1960 to 1977. Al Khaldiya enter this year’s edition as defending champions after defeating Sitra 3-2 in last season’s final.

The draw produced the following preliminary-round matchups: Busaiteen will face Um Al Hassam in Match 1, Ittihad Al Reef will meet Al Tadamun in Match 2, Buri will play Al Ittifaq in Match 3, and Al Ittihad will take on Qalali in Match 4. The four winners will advance to the second preliminary round under the updated competition format.

In that next stage, the winners of Matches 3 and 4 will meet in Match 5. Al Hala will face the winner of Match 1 in Match 6. East Riffa will play Manama in Match 7. Isa Town will meet the winner of Match 2 in Match 8.

The Round of 16 pairings are as follows: Muharraq will play the winner of Match 8, Shabab will face Malkiya, Ahli will meet Al Budaiya, Sitra will play the winner of Match 5, Khaldiya will face the winner of Match 6, A’ali will meet Al Najma, Bahrain Club will face Al Hidd, and Riffa will play the winner of Match 7.

The draw sets the structure for the 49th King’s Cup, which now moves into a new edition as clubs across the kingdom begin their pursuit of Bahrain’s most prominent football trophy.