{
  "id": 10929721,
  "title": "Drawing of lots sends Oman through to Gulf Cup semis",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/drawing-of-lots-sends-oman-through-to-gulf-cup-semis-10929721",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T11:22:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ck3reg044xzwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Gulf Cup's semi-final draw featured Oman securing a spot through an unprecedented method - the drawing of lots. The tiny Gulf state triumphed over Kuwait with a 3-1 scoreline, propelling them past Iraq in the crucial tie-breaker round. Oman and Iraq had equal points and identical records to advance to the semis, leading to the lots being drawn as the final tie-breaker. The decision was made following stipulated selection criteria which included head-to-head results, goal difference, number of goals and disciplinary card points. Oman's Musab Al-Shaqsy became the subject of the final criterion when he received a yellow card for removing his shirt during celebrations against Kuwait. Despite this, Oman secured the spot, joining Iraq in the semi-finals. This scenario echoes previous instances of lot draws - the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1990 World Cup. The Oman draw occurred after lots were replaced by FIFA world rankings in the 2022 World Cup.",
  "summary": "Oman edge into the semi-finals of the Gulf Cup but they do so in extraordinary fashion after they are picked ahead of Iraq in the drawing of lots.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Drawing of lots sends Oman through to Gulf Cup semis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/drawing-of-lots-sends-oman-through-to-gulf-cup-semis",
        "published": "2026-09-30T11:22:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}