Georgios Donis to Announce Saudi Arabia Squad for Gulf 27
The countdown to Gulf 27 is about to get real for Saudi Arabia. Greek head coach Georgios Donis will announce his final "Green Falcons" squad on Wednesday, just a week before the Arabian Gulf Cup kicks off in Jeddah.
The 27th edition of the tournament runs from 23 September to 6 October, with Saudi Arabia hosting and expectation rising around the national team’s chances. According to Saudi channel Al-Ekhbariya, Donis has locked in his timeline: the list drops the day after tomorrow.
He does so with some major headaches. Star man and captain Salem Al-Dawsari is out of the competition through injury, stripping Saudi Arabia of their most influential attacking figure and emotional leader. Right-back Saud Abdulhamid is also at risk of missing the tournament, adding another layer of uncertainty to Donis’ plans on the flanks.
The stakes are clear. Saudi Arabia have not lifted the Arabian Gulf Cup in 23 years, their last triumph coming in 2003. Hosting the 27th edition in Jeddah only sharpens the focus. This is not just another regional tournament; it is a chance to end a long wait on home soil.
The draw has placed the Green Falcons in Group One alongside Iraq, Oman and Kuwait. It is a demanding group, heavy with history and rivalry. Only a top-two finish will be enough to reach the semi-finals, and every dropped point will carry weight.
Donis knows the margin for error is thin. The squad he reveals on Wednesday will show exactly how bold he is prepared to be in chasing a long-delayed Gulf crown.
