Doha, September 19 (QNA) - The Gulf Football Federation (GFF) announced Saturday the match schedule for the second edition of the Gulf U-17 Cup Qatar 2026, which will be held in Doha from Oct. 16 to Nov. 4, with 10 national teams taking part.

The tournament will feature 23 matches, the largest field in the competition's history. It will be organized by Qatar's Local Organizing Committee in coordination with the Gulf Football Federation.

The 10 participating teams have been divided into two groups of five, with Egypt and China making their debuts in the tournament.

Group A comprises host Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and China. Group B features defending champion Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen and Egypt.

The tournament will open on Oct. 16 with Qatar facing China at 5:45 p.m. at Grand Hamad Stadium, followed by the United Arab Emirates against Bahrain at 8 p.m. at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium.

The group stage will run through Oct. 29, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the semifinals on Nov. 1.

In the semifinals, the Group A winner will face the Group B runner-up at 5:45 p.m. at Grand Hamad Stadium, while the Group B winner will meet the Group A runner-up at 8:15 p.m. at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium.

Under the tournament regulations, penalty shootouts will be used immediately if either semifinal ends in a draw after regulation time.

The tournament will conclude on Nov. 4 with the final at 5:45 p.m. at Grand Hamad Stadium. Penalty shootouts will also be used immediately if the final is tied after regulation time.

Saudi Arabia won the inaugural Gulf U-17 Cup Qatar 2025 after defeating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final at Grand Hamad Stadium. The victory made Saudi Arabia the first champion of the tournament.

The defending champions will begin their title defense against Egypt on Oct. 17 at 5:45 p.m. at Grand Hamad Stadium. (QNA)