Doha, December 11 (QNA) - Qatari former national team footballer Mubarak Mustafa believes that the upcoming 26th Arabian Gulf Cup Championship (Gulf Cup 26), to run in Kuwait from December 21 to January 3, may be exceptional due to the strong technical performances expected from all participating teams, each aiming to compete for the title.
Mustafa told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Arabian Gulf Cup played a significant role in developing regional football on several levels, which supported Gulf teams and led to their winning continental championships and participating on the global stage.
Mustafa noted that the upcoming edition will feature strong competition, given the teams readiness and thanks to exceptional players in their midst, who showed excellent performances during the third stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The winner of best player and top scorer award at Gulf Cup 11 said that Kuwait is capable of organizing a distinguished tournament despite challenges and pressures caused by multiple ongoing club and national team competitions.
The Qatari former footballer noted that the Arabian Gulf Cup enjoys a unique position in the hearts of the regions peoples, receiving significant attention from fans and the media, and spanning half a century due to popular demand.
He added that the tournament contributed to the discovery of many new talents who went on to achieve continental and international achievements among the ranks of Gulf clubs and national teams. Mustafa, who witnessed two team Qatar titles at the Arabian Gulf Cup, said that Gulf Cup 11, held in Doha back in 1992, marked Qatars first-ever Gulf Cup title and was one of the best tournaments in his career, having won the top scorer award with three goals, and the Best Player award.
The former Al Arabi, Al Khor, and Al Gharafa player added that back then, Qatar entered the tournament high-spirited and received significant support from fans during matches held at Khalifa International Stadium.
Mustafa pointed out that he was initially excluded from Brazilian coach Sebastian Lapola's formation due to his hamstring injury, yet thanks to an intensive treatment program designed by the medical staff, it allowed him to make it to the formation. He added that Qatar faced UAE off in its first match in the edition, during which Mustafa played in the second half of the match after the injury of Waleed Bakheet, and scored two goals, which won him the Man of the Match award, a perfect start for him.
The three-times top Qatari league scorer and winner of the Golden Boot in Arab leagues in the 1992-1993 season said that Qatars campaign in the Gulf Cup 11 continued with a victory over Bahrain in the second match thanks to a goal by Zamel Al Kuwari.
He added that the third match, which was against the strong Kuwaiti team, who were also Gulf Cup champions and most record holders, was decisive, with Qatar winning 4-0, for them to further defeat Oman and secured their first-ever Gulf Cup victory, with the last match against Saudi Arabia, being a mere formality.
Mustafa added that Qatars second Gulf title happened during the Gulf Cup 17 in Doha in 2004, which happened to be his last tournament with the national team. Additionally, He expressed great happiness at concluding his international career with another title, alongside a new generation of players with big ambitions, recalling the enormous celebration that followed that win.
Regarding the difference between the two tournaments, Mustafa said that Gulf Cup 11 held a special significance for him being his first, which also brought immense joy to Qatari fans. He added that it was also the most difficult due to its round-robin format.
In contrast, Mustafa said that was happy to participate in Gulf Cup 17, the first edition with a group stage and knockout rounds, adding that he was one of the senior players back then, alongside Amer Al Kaabi, and a new generation of footballers including Wissam Rizk, Ibrahim Al Ghanim, Mishal Mubarak, and Waleed Jassim, who was one of the top players that edition. Mustafa also said that the final match against Oman was the toughest, which Qatar won in a penalty shootout.
In conclusion, the Qatari former national team star emphasized that the Arabian Gulf Cup Championship always witness the rise of new players, who see the championship as a gateway to their future in continental and global competitions together with the national squad.
The Gulf Cup 26 will take place in Kuwait from December 21 to January 3, 2025, featuring eight teams, divided into two groups: Group A which includes Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Oman, while Group B includes Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Yemen. (QNA)