Gulf U-17 Cup Qatar kicks off today

Qatar kicks off the Gulf U-17 Cup Qatar 2026 tournament today, with hosts Qatar taking on debutants China in their opening Group A match. The five-team competition, involving the eight Gulf Football Federation member associations and invited teams China and Egypt, will see 23 matches across three venues.

The opening fixture is scheduled for 5:45pm at Grand Hamad Stadium, giving Qatar a chance to utilize home advantage and gain an early edge in the tournament. Qatar, coached by Nicholas Arnaldo, have been placed in Group A alongside the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and China. Meanwhile, Group B features defending champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, and Egypt.

Qatar has fielded a 23-player squad for the tournament, relying on a mix of young talent to deliver a competitive performance. China, making their debut in the competition, pose a new challenge for the hosts in their opening match.

Saudi Arabia, the inaugural champions of the tournament, will defend their title on Saturday against Egypt at Grand Hamad Stadium. Iraq will clash with Yemen at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium on the same day. The group stage will continue through October 29, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals on November 1.

The final is set to take place at Grand Hamad Stadium on November 4, concluding the tournament featuring 23 matches in total. The expanded field aims to provide stronger competition and valuable preparation for upcoming international assignments, including the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.