The Saudi team arrives for the tournament.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all relevant authorities in preparing to host the Gulf Cup for Veterans, set to take place in Kuwait from February 22 to 26.

In a press statement, he emphasized that state agencies are working diligently to ensure the tournament’s success by addressing any challenges faced by the organizing committees. He stressed that Kuwait aims to deliver an event that meets the highest standards both organizationally and technically, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a premier host for major sports competitions.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef highlighted Kuwait’s strong infrastructure, financial resources, and skilled workforce, which position the nation as a capable host for international tournaments. He noted that the Gulf Cup for Veterans holds special significance, as it is being staged in a competitive format for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to reunite legendary players and passionate fans from across the region on Kuwaiti soil.

He also pointed out that the tournament’s organization follows the same model as the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which Kuwait successfully hosted from December 21 to January 4. The event garnered widespread praise across the Gulf and Arab world, with media outlets commending its seamless execution and high-level competition.

Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef concluded by welcoming all participating delegations and fans to Kuwait, wishing the teams ‘success in the tournament.

As of today, Thursday, the delegations from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman have arrived, completing the lineup of participating teams. The Yemeni team was the first to land in Kuwait last Sunday, followed by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Iraq on Wednesday.

All teams are currently training at the subsidiary fields of Jaber Stadium, with the tournament kicking off Saturday with four exciting matches:

Iraq vs. Yemen, Saudi Arabia vs. Bahrain, Qatar vs. UAE and Kuwait vs. Oman