A file photo of Bahraini celebrating with fans.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 18: The Bahraini national football team aims to replicate its 2019 Arabian Gulf Cup triumph as it gears up for the 26th edition of the tournament, scheduled to take place in Kuwait from December 21 to January 3.

Known as the "Pearl Divers," Bahrain will participate in the Gulf Cup for the 24th time, having skipped only the 1972 edition, which it withdrew from. The team faces tough competition in Group Two, where it will play against Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Iraq.

Bahrain kicks off its campaign against Saudi Arabia on December 22 at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, followed by a clash with Iraq on December 25 at the same venue. The group stage concludes with a match against Yemen on December 28 at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium.

Since debuting in the 1970 Gulf Cup hosted in Bahrain, the national team has played 111 matches in the tournament, securing 34 wins, 35 draws, and 42 losses, with 118 goals scored and 139 conceded. Bahrain’s notable achievements include winning the title in 2019, finishing as runners-up four times (1970, 1982, 1992, and 2003), and achieving third place three times (1990, 1994, and 2004).

At the continental level, Bahrain reached its best Asian Cup finish in 2004 under Croatian coach Yuri Srecko, placing fourth after a semi-final loss to Japan and a defeat to Iran in the bronze medal match. The team has qualified for the Asian Cup eight times, advancing to the second round in 2019 and 2023 but never qualifying for the World Cup.

This year, the Bahraini squad is led by Coach Dragan Talajic, who hopes to guide the team to its second Gulf Cup title. Talajic is familiar with Gulf football, having coached in the UAE, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, as well as managing Kuwait SC in 2011, where he won the Kuwait Federation Cup.

The Bahraini national team relies on key players like veteran goalkeeper Ismail Mohammed Jaffar, captain of Al-Muharraq Club, with 135 international appearances. Other standout players include Abdullah Yousef Hilal, Salem Adel Hassan, and Ali Madan, whose collective market value highlights their importance to the team.

With a market valuation of €9.83 million according to Transfermarkt, Bahrain enters the 26th Gulf Cup as a formidable contender, eager to build on its rich footballing legacy.