What Is 2002 Gulf Cup of Nations

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2002 Gulf Cup of Nations was the 15th edition of the tournament, held in Kuwait from March 26 to April 11, 2002, and won by Saudi Arabia, who defeated Bahrain 1–0 in the final.

Key Facts

The 2002 Gulf Cup took place from March 26 to April 11, 2002, in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Eight teams participated, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Saudi Arabia won their third Gulf Cup title by defeating Bahrain 1–0 in the final.
Yasser Al-Qahtani was named Best Player; he scored the winning goal in the final.
Kuwait hosted the tournament for the fifth time, matching their previous hosting years in 1972, 1982, 1990, and 1996.

Overview

The 2002 Gulf Cup of Nations, officially known as the 15th Arabian Gulf Cup, was a regional football championship organized by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation. It featured national teams from eight Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and was hosted by Kuwait, marking the fifth time the nation had staged the event.

This edition was notable for its competitive balance and high-level performances, culminating in Saudi Arabia claiming their third title. The tournament ran from March 26 to April 11, 2002, with all matches played at the Kuwait National Stadium in Kuwait City, which had undergone renovations ahead of the event.

Host nation: Kuwait hosted the tournament for the fifth time, having previously done so in 1972, 1982, 1990, and 1996, making them the most frequent hosts in Gulf Cup history.
Champion: Saudi Arabia won the 2002 Gulf Cup by defeating Bahrain 1–0 in the final, securing their third title after previous wins in 1994 and 1998.
Final match: The decisive game took place on April 11, 2002, with Yasser Al-Qahtani scoring the only goal in the 67th minute at Kuwait National Stadium.
Participating teams: Eight nations competed: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Yemen, divided into two groups of four.
Tournament format: The competition followed a group stage followed by semifinals and final, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.

How It Works

The Gulf Cup of Nations is a biennial football tournament contested by the eight member nations of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation. It features a structured format combining group play and knockout stages to determine a champion.

Group Stage: The eight teams are divided into two groups of four. Each team plays the others in its group once, earning three points for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss.
Knockout Rounds: The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, with winners progressing to the final and losers playing for third place.
Host Rotation: The hosting rights rotate among member nations, though Kuwait has hosted more times than any other country, including in 2002.
Eligibility: Only nations from the Persian Gulf region are eligible, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Iraq, and Yemen.
Awards: Individual honors include Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Top Scorer, with Yasser Al-Qahtani winning Best Player in 2002.
Refereeing: Matches are officiated by FIFA-listed referees from Gulf nations, with video technology not used in 2002 due to technological limitations at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2002 Gulf Cup with the previous and next editions in terms of key tournament details:

Year	Host Country	Champion	Runner-up	Top Scorer (Goals)	Matches Played
1998	UAE	Saudi Arabia	Bahrain	Alaa Saeed (5 goals)	15
2002	Kuwait	Saudi Arabia	Bahrain	Yasser Al-Qahtani (4 goals)	15
2004	Qatar	Qatar	Saudi Arabia	Mohamed Kader (4 goals)	15
2006	Kuwait	Kuwait	Saudi Arabia	Abdullah Al-Dosari (5 goals)	15
2008	Oman	Iraq	Oman	Amir Al-Ammari (4 goals)	15

The 2002 tournament maintained consistency in format and match count, with 15 games played over 17 days. While Saudi Arabia repeated as champions, the rise of competitive parity was evident, as no team won by more than a two-goal margin in knockout games.

Why It Matters

The 2002 Gulf Cup of Nations was a pivotal moment in regional football, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s dominance while highlighting growing competitiveness among Gulf nations. It also served as a platform for emerging talents and strengthened regional unity through sport.

Regional pride: The tournament fosters national pride and cultural connection among Gulf nations, with fans from all participating countries attending matches in large numbers.
Player development: Young stars like Yasser Al-Qahtani gained international recognition, boosting their careers in domestic and continental leagues.
Sporting legacy: Hosting the event enhanced Kuwait’s reputation as a capable organizer of international football tournaments.
Political significance: In 2002, the tournament provided a rare moment of unity amid regional tensions, promoting peaceful competition.
Media impact: The event was broadcast across the Arab world, increasing viewership and commercial interest in Gulf football.
Historical continuity: As the 15th edition, it reinforced the Gulf Cup’s status as one of the longest-running regional football competitions in Asia.

The 2002 Gulf Cup remains a benchmark for competitive balance and regional engagement in Middle Eastern football, setting the stage for future tournaments with broader participation and higher stakes.