Saudi Arabia ended a 23-year wait for a major international trophy by beating United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the Gulf Cup 27 final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The victory secured the national team’s first title since it won the Arabian Gulf Cup in 2003. Saudi Arabia had not claimed another trophy during the intervening period, despite competing in 27 tournaments under various names.
Its best result across those competitions had been five runners-up finishes.
Saudi Arabia appeared at four World Cups during that time, in 2006, 2018, 2022 and 2026, but exited at the group stage on each occasion. It failed to qualify for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
At the AFC Asian Cup, Saudi Arabia played in six editions after its 2003 success. Its strongest campaign came in 2007, when it finished as runners-up after losing the final to Iraq. The team was eliminated in the last 16 in 2019 and 2023, and went out in the group stage in 2004, 2011 and 2015.
The team also competed in 10 editions of the Arabian Gulf Cup before Gulf Cup 27, finishing second in 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2019.
Saudi Arabia entered the West Asian Football Federation Championship three times, in 2012, 2014 and 2019, but failed to progress beyond the group stage in each edition.
In the Arab Cup, the team made three appearances. Its best finish was third in 2025, while it placed fourth in 2012 and was eliminated in the group stage in 2021.
20 coaching changes
Gerard van der Lem was the manager who led Saudi Arabia to its previous title at the 2003 Arabian Gulf Cup. He left the post in 2004, after which the Saudi Arabian Football Federation made 20 changes to the senior national-team manager’s position.
Those changes involved 17 different coaches, with Greek manager Georgios Donis the latest.
National coach Nasser Al-Johar had three temporary spells in charge, while fellow Saudi manager Yusuf Anbar took over on one occasion. Every other coach since 2004 has been foreign, including Herve Renard, who had two spells in charge and guided Saudi Arabia to two World Cup finals.
Saudi clubs dominate in Asia
While the national side went without a trophy for 23 years, Saudi clubs enjoyed considerable success in continental competition.
There have been 22 editions of the AFC Champions League since Saudi Arabia’s last international title, with clubs from the country winning six of them. Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli have each claimed the trophy twice.
South Korean clubs have won seven titles in that period, the most of any country, while Japanese clubs have five. Chinese clubs have won two, with one title each for clubs from Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
Domestically, 23 editions of the Saudi league have been completed since 2003, producing six different champions. Al-Hilal lead the way with 10 titles, followed by Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr with four each, Al-Shabab with three, and Al-Ahli and Al-Fateh with one apiece.
