‘No pressure’: Al Hayyam backs Bahrain to defend Gulf Cup crown

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain national team defender and Muharraq captain Waleed Al Hayyam says the reigning Gulf Cup champions are not weighed down by expectations — they are embracing them.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, Al Hayyam described a squad that has evolved from surprise package to established contender, as Bahrain prepare to defend their title at the 27th Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain open their Group B campaign against Qatar on September 24 in Jeddah, before facing the United Arab Emirates on September 27 and Yemen on September 30. All matches will be played at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. The final is scheduled for October 6 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

On paper, Bahrain’s  path is far from straightforward. Qatar arrive with three Gulf Cup titles, while Bahrain and the UAE have both lifted the trophy twice, highlighting how closely matched the sides are in pedigree. Yet Al Hayyam insists the champions are unfazed. “There is no pressure,” he said. “It’s a strong group, but we want to show we are the strongest team in it.”

Bahrain head into the tournament as holders after their 2–1 win over Oman in the 2024–25 final, securing their second Gulf Cup title following their breakthrough in 2019. Those victories have reshaped expectations around the national team, turning them from outsiders into genuine contenders.

For Al Hayyam, that progress is built on stability rather than momentum — a principle reflected in his season with Muharraq.

As captain, he led the club to a domestic double, first winning the King’s Cup against Riffa in April to end a six-year wait and claim a 20th title, before retaining the league championship on the final day of the season against Al Khalidiya, their 35th league crown.

“The strength was in the group. We are all one family. There is no single leader; everyone shares responsibility,” he said. “We knew that effort would lead to results.”

Muharraq’s only setback came in February’s Khalid bin Hamad Cup final, where they lost to Riffa on penalties, narrowly missing out on a treble.

“It’s still a season to be proud of,” Al Hayyam added. “Two trophies is a strong achievement, even if we wanted more.”

For Bahrain, the challenge is to replicate that collective identity at regional level, where they have moved from chasing recognition to defending their status.