The 2014 Gulf Cup draw sees Qatar pooled into Group A which has hosts Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen as the other teams. Group B is the tougher group with defending champions UAE being clubbed with Oman, Iraq and Kuwait.

Qatar is currently ranked at 86 and have only Saudi Arabia ranked higher (78) in their group, giving them a strong chance to progress to the semi-finals. Bahrain and Yemen are ranked 105 and 108 respectively.

The draw ceremony for the FIFA-accredited 22nd Gulf Cup of Nations was held at the historic Masmark Fort in Riyadh

The draw placed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as heads of their respective groups for being the host nation and champions respectively.

According to FIFA’s July standings, they were followed by Qatar and Oman (pot two), Iraq and Bahrain (pot three) and Kuwait and Yemen (pot four).

The ceremony also showcased the GCC Cup mascot - the ‘Arabian Tiger’ - and witnessed the UAE delegation handing down the cup to the upcoming hosts.

The opening and closing fixtures of the tournament, which begins in November, will be held at the King Fahad International Stadium, with the remaining matches held at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium, both in Riyadh.

Kuwait has won the illustrious regional tournament the most on a total 10 occasions, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia with three titles each, and Qatar and UAE with two apiece.

In the previous edition held in January 2013, the UAE beat Iraq in overtime to clinch the title in Bahrain.

The first Gulf Cup tournament took place in Bahrain in 1970, and was won by the Kuwaiti team.

The Gulf Cup has witnessed increased attendance in the stadiums in recent years.

This has been in particular due to Qatar’s role in expanding and improving the competition at home and the region.

 

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