Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia will host soccer's eight-country Arabian Gulf Cup starting Wednesday, under pressure to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup.
Yemen is the only one of the eight teams never to have won the trophy in 26 previous tournaments and opens against the United Arab Emirates in Jeddah on Thursday, just days after Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced that they had targeted the Saudi capital with missiles.
It was the first attack on Riyadh since an escalation in fighting with the Tehran-backed rebels opened a new front in the Iran war.
On the field, the pressure is on Saudi Arabia, eliminated at the group stage at the World Cup after failing to win a game.
Coach Giorgios Donis remains in charge, but preparations have been overshadowed by Saturday’s news that star midfielder Musab Al-Juwayr had been dropped from the squad.
“Musab Al-Juwayr is one of the most promising talents, but we have regulations and rules, and the player violated them and was punished,” Fahad Al-Mufarrij, executive director of the national team, told media.
Al-Mufarrij denied rumors that the midfielder had been excluded for ordering food from an outside restaurant while at the team hotel. “It is unreasonable to exclude a player because of a meal; this is not true,” he said.
Al-Juwayr has apologized for his actions.
Saudi Arabia starts against Kuwait on Wednesday, with Iraq taking on Oman in Group A’s other fixture.
Australian coach Graham Arnold last month signed an extension to his contract with Iraq after losing all three games at the World Cup.
“I want the players to go to the Gulf Cup believing they can win it,” Arnold said. “It is a great opportunity to make your country proud.”
In Group B, Qatar is also looking to bounce back from a winless World Cup and early elimination. Julen Lopetegui has remained as coach and faces defending champion Bahrain.
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals. The final takes place in Jeddah on Oct. 6.
The tournament also serves as preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup, which starts in Saudi Arabia in January.