<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr">Gulf fans are preparing to follow the opening of the 2024 Gulf Cup Championship "Gulf 26", as the first match brings together the Qatari and Emirati national teams on Saturday evening, December 21, 2024, and the State of Kuwait hosts the tournament, which will be held from December 21, 2024 until January 3, 2025.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Tournament system and participating teams</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Eight Gulf teams are participating in the tournament, divided into two groups:</p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The first group: includes Qatar, the Emirates, Kuwait, and Oman.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The second group: includes Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, and Yemen.</li></ul><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> This tournament represents an opportunity for each team to win the title, amidst an exciting atmosphere and fierce competition between the participating teams.</p><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Qatar vs UAE match date and broadcasting channels</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The match between Qatar and the UAE will be held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, and will start at the following times:</p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> 9 pm Cairo time.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> 10 pm Saudi and Kuwait time.</li></ul><h3 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Broadcasting channels:</span></h3><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The match will be available on a number of Gulf sports channels, including:</p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Al Kass HD1 Channels</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> SSC HD4</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Kuwait Sports</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Abu Dhabi Sports</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Dubai Sports</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Iraqi sports</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Bahrain Sports</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Oman Sports</li></ul><h2 style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <span style="color:hsl(187, 48%, 51%);">Expected formation of the UAE national team</span></h2><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The UAE team is expected to enter the match with the following line-up:</p><ul style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Goalkeeper: Khaled Issa.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Defense line: Marcus Meloni, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Kwame Ottone, Khalid Al Dhanhani.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Midfield: Yahya Nader, Majed Rashid, Harb Abdullah.</li><li style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Attack line: Yahya Al-Ghassani, Fabio Lima, Bruno Oliveira.</li></ul><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> The Qatar-UAE match is of great importance, as it is considered one of the strongest matches of the first round. Both teams seek to achieve victory and ensure a strong start in this highly competitive tournament, which is one of the most prominent football tournaments in the Gulf.</p>