The eighth Gulf Cup in Bahrain in 1986 marked Kuwaits sixth title, allowing them to keep the trophy permanently for the second time. A new trophy was introduced in the ninth edition. The tournament saw 21 matches, 53 goals, and UAEs Fahd Khamis becoming the top scorer with six goals. Kuwaits Muaid Al-Haddad was named Best Player, and Bahrains Mohammad Saleh Best Goalkeeper.
The ninth Gulf Cup in Saudi Arabia in 1988 continued the alternating champions pattern. Iraq won the title, claiming Saudi Arabias new trophy, while UAE finished second for the second consecutive time. The tournament included 21 matches and 34 goals. Iraqs Ahmad Radhi and UAEs Zuhair Bakhit shared the top scorer title with four goals each, while Iraqs Habeeb Jafar was named Best Player, and Omans Yousef Obaid Best Goalkeeper.
The tenth edition, hosted by Kuwait in 1990, saw participation from only five teams due to Saudi Arabias non-participation and Iraqs withdrawal. Kuwait won their seventh title, with Qatar finishing second. Ten matches produced 21 goals. Kuwaits Mohammad Ibrahim was the top scorer with five goals, UAEs Nasser Khamis won Best Player, and Bahrains Hammoud Sultan and Kuwaits Samir Saeed shared the Best Goalkeeper award.
The 11th edition of the Gulf Cup, held in Qatar in 1992, was remarkable as it broke the long-standing dominance of Iraq and Kuwait. Qatar claimed its maiden title, entering the champions' list after a historic triumph in a tournament that featured six teams: Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain. Qatars Mubarak Mustafa shone as the tournaments top scorer and best player with three goals, while Ahmed Khalil was named the best goalkeeper.
The 12th edition, hosted by the UAE in 1994, saw Saudi Arabia secure its first Gulf Cup title, with the UAE finishing as runners-up. The tournament, which featured 34 goals in 15 matches, witnessed Qatars Mahmoud Soufi and Saudi Arabias Fouad Anwar share the top scorer honor with four goals each. UAEs Mohammed Ali Kesla was named the best player, and his teammate Mohsen Musabah won the best goalkeeper award.
In 1996, Oman hosted the 13th edition, where Kuwait reclaimed the title, marking their eighth triumph. Qatar finished second. Across 15 matches, 35 goals were scored, with Qatars Mohammed Salem Al Anzi emerging as the top scorer (4 goals). Kuwaits Abdullah Wabran received the best player award, while Qatars Younis Ahmed was the best goalkeeper.
The 14th edition took place in Bahrain in 1998 and saw Kuwait retain the title for a record ninth time, defeating Saudi Arabia, the runners-up. A total of 40 goals were scored in 15 matches, with Kuwaits Jassem Al-Huwaidi securing the top scorer title (9 goals). Saudi Arabias Mohammed Al-Deayea was the best goalkeeper, and Kuwaits Badr Haji was named the best player.
In 2002, Saudi Arabia hosted the 15th edition, where they claimed their second Gulf Cup title, edging Qatar by a single point. Omans Hani Al-Dhabit emerged as the top scorer with five goals, Qatars Jaffal Rashid won the best player award, and Saudi Arabias Mohammed Al-Deayea was the best goalkeeper.
The 16th edition, held in Kuwait from December 2003 to January 2004, marked Yemens debut, increasing the participants to seven. Saudi Arabia defended their title, securing their third and final Gulf Cup crown, while Bahrain finished second. The tournament saw 46 goals scored across 21 matches, with Bahrains Talal Youssef named the top scorer (5 goals) and best player. Omans Ali Al-Habsi earned the best goalkeeper title.
The 17th edition, hosted in Doha in late 2004, introduced significant changes, including an expansion to eight teams with Iraqs return. The group-stage format led to intense competition, with Qatar winning their second title after defeating Oman in a penalty shootout (65) in the final. Bahrain secured third place. Across 16 matches, 50 goals were scored. Omans Imad Al-Hosni was the top scorer (4 goals), Bahrains Talal Youssef was the best player, and Ali Al-Habsi retained the best goalkeeper award. (MORE)