'Back with the Cup': Champions arrive in Jeddah after final rallying call

TDT | Manama

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Gulf Cup holders Bahrain touched down in Jeddah yesterday with a clear objective ahead of the 27th edition of the regional tournament.

Before departure, head coach Dragan Talajic delivered one final message during Saturday night's training session in Riffa.

"We're not going to Saudi Arabia to win the trophy. No, we've already won it," he told the squad. "We're going there to defend it and keep it in Bahrain for one more year." The players responded in unison: "Insha'Allah."

The Croatian carried the same confidence to Bahrain International Airport. Pointing to a sign that read "See you in Bahrain soon", he added: "But with the cup." The 26-man squad joined several other competing teams in Jeddah ahead of the eight-nation tournament, which begins on Wednesday and runs until October 6. The nationals are in Group B alongside Qatar, the UAE and Yemen. Their campaign begins against Qatar on Thursday at 9pm before they face the UAE at the same time on Sunday.

Bahrain then complete the preliminary round against Yemen on September 30 at 8.30pm, with all three matches taking place at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium. Hosts Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Kuwait make up Group A. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 3.

The final will be held three days later at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

A successful defence would deliver the kingdom's third Gulf Cup crown, drawing Bahrain level with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Their maiden triumph came in Doha in 2019 before a 2-1 victory over Oman in Kuwait City secured the trophy again in January 2025. Kuwait are the competition's record champions with 10 titles, followed by Iraq with four. Saudi and Qatar have three apiece, while Bahrain, the UAE and Oman each have two.