Doha, September 10 (QNA) - Hosts Qatar have been drawn in Group A alongside UAE; Oman; Bahrain and China for the second edition of the Gulf U-17 Cup, following the draw held today via videoconference at the headquarters of the Gulf Football Federation.
Group B features defending champions Saudi Arabia, along with Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen and Egypt.
The tournament will take place from October 16 to November 4, with 10 national teams participating - the largest field in the competition's history. The Local Organizing Committee in Qatar will oversee the organization and hosting of the tournament in coordination with the Gulf Football Federation.
According to the draw procedure, the participating teams were divided into five pots based on their rankings in the most recent Gulf Football Federation tournament for the same age category. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be played on a knockout basis.
The expanded edition has attracted particular interest, with all eight national teams that are members of the Gulf Football Federation - the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Yemen - joined by Egypt and China.
The broader participation will provide the teams with the opportunity to compete against a diverse range of opponents in highly competitive matches, helping them prepare more effectively for upcoming international commitments, foremost among them the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. (QNA)