Doha: Hosts Qatar have been drawn in Group A alongside UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and China for the second edition of the Gulf U-17 Cup, following the draw held today via videoconference at the headquarters of the Gulf Football Federation. Group B features defending champions Saudi Arabia, along with Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen, and Egypt.

According to Qatar News Agency, the tournament will take place from October 16 to November 4, featuring 10 national teams, marking the largest field in the competition's history. The Local Organizing Committee in Qatar will oversee the organization and hosting of the tournament in coordination with the Gulf Football Federation.

The draw procedure divided the participating teams into five pots based on their rankings in the most recent Gulf Football Federation tournament for the same age category. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be played on a knockout basis.

The expanded edition has garnered interest, with all eight national teams that are members of the Gulf Football Federation, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Yemen, joined by Egypt and China. The broader participation will provide the teams with the opportunity to compete against a range of opponents in highly competitive matches, aiding in their preparation for upcoming international commitments, foremost among them the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.