Numbers and data revealed before the start of the "Gulf 27" competitions in Jeddah indicate an anticipated race between a number of teams aspiring to win the title, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iraq emerging as the most prominent names according to the world ranking, market value, and history in the Gulf Championship.
The Saudi national team outperforms the other eight teams in terms of world ranking, after coming in 58th place. It also possesses the highest market value among the participants, amounting to 35.33 million euros, in addition to an average age of 29 years. The team enters the championship with three Gulf titles to its name.
The Qatari national team comes directly behind the "Green" in the rankings, occupying 59th place globally. Its market value is 20.25 million euros, and the average age of its players is 29 years. "Al-Annabi" has three titles in the history of the tournament, achieved in the years 1992, 2004, and 2014.
As for the Iraqi national team, it ranks 63rd globally, with a market value of 17.80 million euros and an average age of 26 years. However, it surpasses Saudi Arabia and Qatar in terms of the number of titles, having won the Gulf Cup four times, the last of which was in "Gulf 25".
The Kuwaiti national team also possesses an exceptional historical legacy in the tournament, as it holds the record with 10 titles and has participated in all editions of the Gulf Cup. Despite this, "Al-Azraq" ranks 133rd globally, with a market value of 5.15 million euros.
The Emirati national team ranks 68th globally, with a market value of 29.05 million euros. Oman and Bahrain each have two titles, with Bahrain's last win being in the previous edition, while the Yemeni national team is still searching for its first title in the history of the tournament.
Considering these numbers, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Iraq appear to be at the forefront of the competition before the tournament begins. The Saudi national team has the advantage of home ground and crowd, in addition to its top ranking and market value. Qatar enters with the experience of three titles, while Iraq relies on four championships and recent experience in winning the tournament.
As "Gulf 27" approaches its start, the numbers remain only initial indicators, awaiting what the field will reveal. Small details and direct confrontations can completely redraw the features of the title race.