Gulf Football Federation

Gulf Football Federation
الاتحاد الخليجي لكرة القدم
Formation	21 May 2016; 10 years ago
Type	Football Federation
Headquarters	Doha, Qatar
Members	8 member associations
Official language	Arabic
Secretary General	Jassim Sultan Al‑Rumaihi
Presidents	Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani
Website	the-gff.com

The Gulf Football Federation (GFF; Arabic: الاتحاد الخليجي لكرة القدم) is an independent regional football body for eight member countries, those being the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), as well as Iraq and Yemen.^[2] It was established in May 2016, and its main competition is the Arabian Gulf Cup.^[3]^[4]^[5]

History

Several preparatory meetings were held in 2015.^[6]^[7] The federation then was founded in 2016 as Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation to reflect the region's oldest competition: the Arabian Gulf Cup.^[1]^[8]^[9] Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani of Qatar was named as the first president.^[10] In 2026, the federation was renamed to Gulf Football Federation.^[11]

Member associations

National Association	Year Joined
Bahrain	2016
Iraq
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

Competitions

The GFF organises the Arabian Gulf Cup for national football teams, which is held every two years, and the GFF Gulf Club Champions League for club teams, which is held every season. The possibility of holding a women's competition in the future has also been discussed.^[12]

Current title holders

National teams
Competition	Year	Champions	Title	Runners-up	Next edition	Dates
Arabian Gulf Cup	2024–25	Bahrain	2nd	Oman	2026	23 September – 6 October 2026
Gulf Cup for Veteran Players	2025	Iraq	1st	Oman	2026	30 October – 5 November 2026
U-23 Gulf Cup	2025	Saudi Arabia	5th	Iraq	TBD	TBD
U-20 Gulf Cup	2025	Saudi Arabia	2nd	Yemen	TBD	TBD
U-17 Gulf Cup	2025	Saudi Arabia	6th	United Arab Emirates	2026	16 October – 4 November 2026
Club teams
Gulf Club Champions League	2025–26	Al-Rayyan	1st	Al-Shabab	2026–27	13 October 2026 – 30 April 2027
Gulf Club Super Cup	—				2026	TBD

Rankings

Men's national teams

Rankings are calculated by FIFA.^[13]

FIFA Men's Rankings (as of 19 December 2024)
GFF*	FIFA	National Team	Points
1	48	Qatar	1474.60
2	56	Iraq	1442.86
3	59	Saudi Arabia	1406.56
4	63	United Arab Emirates	1385.57
5	80	Oman	1306.67
6	81	Bahrain	1305.52
7	134	Kuwait	1108.72
8	158	Yemen	1018.27
*Local rankings based on FIFA ranking points

Women's national teams

Rankings are calculated by FIFA.^[14]

FIFA Women's Rankings (as of 13 December 2024)
GFF*	FIFA	+/-	National Team	Points
1	93	1	Bahrain	1216.48
2	116	1	United Arab Emirates	1158.26
3	166	8	Saudi Arabia	877.08
4	173	1	Iraq	862.80
Unranked			Kuwait	870.00
Unranked			Qatar	864.00
*Local rankings based on FIFA ranking points

Team of the Year

Men

FIFA Men's World Ranking

Teams ranking in the top four – Men's
Year	First	Second	Third	Fourth
2024	Qatar	Iraq	Saudi Arabia	United Arab Emirates
2023	Saudi Arabia	Qatar	Iraq	United Arab Emirates
2022	Saudi Arabia	Qatar	Iraq	United Arab Emirates
2021	Qatar	Saudi Arabia	United Arab Emirates	Iraq
2020	Qatar	Saudi Arabia	Iraq	United Arab Emirates
2019	Qatar	Saudi Arabia	Iraq	United Arab Emirates
2018	Saudi Arabia	United Arab Emirates	Oman	Iraq
2017	Saudi Arabia	United Arab Emirates	Iraq	Oman
2016	Saudi Arabia	United Arab Emirates	Qatar	Iraq

Women

FIFA Women's World Ranking

Teams ranking in the top four – Women's
Year	First	Second	Third	Fourth
2024	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	Saudi Arabia	Iraq
2023	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	Saudi Arabia	N/a
2022	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a
2021	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a
2020	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a	N/a
2019	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a
2018	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a	N/a
2017	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	Iraq	N/a
2016	Bahrain	United Arab Emirates	N/a	N/a

References

1 2 "Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani named Gulf Cup Federation's new president – Article – Sport360". sport360.com.
↑ "MP & Silva appointed as global advisor to the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation". AGCFF.com. 27 February 2017.
↑ "GFF holds key meeting at Doha headquarters – Qatar Football Association". 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2016.
↑ "Arabian Gulf Football Federation to be inaugurated during historic ceremony in May – Article – Sport360". sport360.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
↑ "AFC and SAFF Presidents hold productive discussions on football development". Asian Football Confederation. 26 May 2018.
↑ "Biloso set to take over at Al Arabi - The Peninsula Qatar". Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2017-12-07.
↑ Kick, Penalty. "AL MOHANNADI PRESIDES OVER GFF MEET". Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
↑ "AGCFF Competitions Committee Holds First Meeting - Qatar Football Association". 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
↑ "MP & Silva appointed as global advisor to the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation". Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
↑ "Gulf nations set up new regional body to manage their competitions - Inside World Football". 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
↑ "رياضي / الاتحاد الخليجي لكرة القدم يطلق هويته البصرية الجديدة" (in Arabic). Fana News. 31 July 2026.
↑ "The 1st Arabian Gulf Cup for Women". qwsc.org.qa. 30 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (Men)". FIFA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
↑ "The FIFA Women's World Ranking - Ranking Table". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2019.

External links

Official website (in English and Arabic)

[foundation-1] 1 2 "Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani named Gulf Cup Federation's new president – Article – Sport360". sport360.com.

[2] "MP & Silva appointed as global advisor to the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation". AGCFF.com. 27 February 2017.

[3] "GFF holds key meeting at Doha headquarters – Qatar Football Association". 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2016.

[4] "Arabian Gulf Football Federation to be inaugurated during historic ceremony in May – Article – Sport360". sport360.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2016-09-17.

[5] "AFC and SAFF Presidents hold productive discussions on football development". Asian Football Confederation. 26 May 2018.

[6] "Biloso set to take over at Al Arabi - The Peninsula Qatar". Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2017-12-07.

[7] Kick, Penalty. "AL MOHANNADI PRESIDES OVER GFF MEET". Archived from the original on 2019-04-10. Retrieved 2016-09-17.

[8] "AGCFF Competitions Committee Holds First Meeting - Qatar Football Association". 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.

[9] "MP & Silva appointed as global advisor to the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation". Archived from the original on 2017-07-04. Retrieved 2017-06-02.

[10] "Gulf nations set up new regional body to manage their competitions - Inside World Football". 3 June 2016. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2016.

[11] "رياضي / الاتحاد الخليجي لكرة القدم يطلق هويته البصرية الجديدة" (in Arabic). Fana News. 31 July 2026.

[12] "The 1st Arabian Gulf Cup for Women". qwsc.org.qa. 30 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.

[13] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (Men)". FIFA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

[14] "The FIFA Women's World Ranking - Ranking Table". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2019.

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v t e Persian Gulf region (Iran and Arab states of the Persian Gulf)
Persian Gulf naming dispute
Geography	Arabian Peninsula Arabian-Persian Gulf Coastal Plain Desert Arabian plate Arabian Sea Bahmanshir Clarence Strait (Iran) Dez River Diyala River Eurasian plate Gulf of Bahrain Gulf of Oman Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert Gulf of Salwah Karun Khersan River Haffar Indian Ocean Iranian plateau Makran Trench Mesopotamian Marshes Persian Gulf Basin Persis Shadegan Ponds Shatt al-Arab South Iran Nubo–Sindian desert and semi-desert Strait of Hormuz Tigris–Euphrates river system Zagros fold and thrust belt
Places	Al Khaleej Road Ferdowsi Gas Field Fort Nossa Senhora da Conceição Harireh Mangrove forests of Qeshm Persian Gulf Airport Persian Gulf Bridge Persian Gulf Complex Persian Gulf Highway Persian Gulf Residential Complex South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field
Islands	List of islands in the Persian Gulf Bahrain Al Dar Island Amwaj Islands Bahrain Island Diyar Al Muharraq Hawar Islands Jidda Island Muharraq Island Nabih Saleh Sitra Umm an Nasan Umm as Sabaan Iran Abadan Island Abu Musa Buneh Island Dara Island Farsi Island Greater and Lesser Tunbs Hendurabi Island Hengam Island Hormuz Island Jazireh-ye Shif Kharg Island Kish Island Larak Island Lavan Island Minu Island Naaz islands Nakhiloo Island Ommolkorm Island Qeshm Island Shidvar Island Sirri Island Kuwait Bubiyan Island Failaka Island Kubbar Island Miskan Island Qaruh Island Umm al Maradim Island Umm an Namil Island Warbah Island Oman Quoin Island (Persian Gulf) Saudi Arabia Arabi Island Tarout Island United Arab Emirates Abu al Abyad Al-Aryam Island Al Futaisi Al Lulu Island Al Maryah Island Al Reem Island Bluewaters Island Burj Al Arab Dalma Das Island Dubai Islands Jazirat Badiyah Marawah Island Marsa Al Arab Palm Jebel Ali Palm Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Sir Abu Nu'ayr Sir Bani Yas The World (archipelago) Yas Island Zirku Island
Ports	Khasab Liyan Bahraini ports Mina Salman Iranian ports Arvandkenar Bandar Abbas Bandar Deylam Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni Bandar Khamir Bandar Lengeh Bandar-e Mahshahr Bandar Siraf Bushehr Chabahar Port Dargahan Jask Kish Laft Port Emam Khomeyni Qeshm Suza Iraqi ports Abu Flous Port Al Başrah Oil Terminal Al-Faw Khor Al Amaya Oil Terminal Qatar ports Hamad Port Saudi ports King Abdul Aziz Port Tanajib Emirati ports Al Hamriya Port Khor Fakkan Port of Jebel Ali Port Saeed
History of region	Achaemenid inscription on Kharg Island Portuguese conquest of Hormuz Ottoman campaign against Hormuz Siege of Bahrain Anglo-Persian capture of Hormuz Action of 1 February 1625 Battle off Hormuz (1625) 1717 Omani invasion of Bahrain Afsharid conquests in the Persian Gulf and Oman Persian Gulf Residency Bani Utbah invasion of Bahrain Persian Gulf campaign of 1809 Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Persian Gulf campaign of 1819 General Maritime Treaty of 1820 Persian Corridor Persian Gulf Command Joint Operation Arvand Seizure of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs 1974–75 Shatt al-Arab conflict Iran–Iraq War Tanker war Operation Earnest Will Bridgeton incident Gulf War Gulf War oil spill Draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes 2007 Iranian arrest of Royal Navy personnel 2011–2012 Strait of Hormuz dispute 2016 United States–Iran naval incident May 2019 Gulf of Oman incident June 2019 Gulf of Oman incident 2019 Iranian shoot-down of American drone Territorial disputes in the Persian Gulf
Sports	Al-Khaleej FC Arabian Gulf Cup Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union Arabian Gulf rugby sevens team Arabian Gulf rugby union team GCC Club Cup GCC Futsal Cup Gulf Football Federation Khor Fakkan Club Persian Gulf Pro League UAE League Cup UAE Pro League UAE Pro League Committee UAE Super Cup
Organizations	Airlines Gulf Air Gulf Aviation Gulf Traveller Kish Air Qeshm Air SaudiGulf Airlines Akhbar Al Khaleej Al Khaleej (newspaper) Arabian Gulf Oil Company Arabian Gulf University Dar Al Khaleej Gulf Cooperation Council Gulf Daily News Gulf Medical University Gulf News Gulf Today Gulf University, Bahrain Gulf University for Science and Technology Gulftainer Khaleej Times Khaleeji Commercial Bank Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Persian Gulf International Education Center Persian Gulf Online Organization Persian Gulf Studies Center Persian Gulf University Sharmin and Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Iran and Persian Gulf Studies
Wildlife	Arabian carpetshark Arecaceae Avicennia marina Blacktip tope Booted warbler Cheekspot blenny Collared kingfisher Dugong Greater flamingo Greater lizardfish Hawksbill sea turtle Humpback whale Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Minke whale Omura's whale Orca Pita skate Porites nodifera Rhizophora mucronata Slender whiting Smoothtooth blacktip shark Xenisthmus balius
Related	2010 Islamic Solidarity Games Arabization Bandar (port) Bandari music Christianity in Eastern Arabia Culture of Eastern Arabia Gargee'an Eastern Arabian cuisine Environmental impact of the Gulf wars Gulf and Kuwait Medal Gulf Arabic Bahraini Gulf Arabic Bahrani Arabic Kuwaiti Arabic Gulf Medal Gulf rupee Gulf War syndrome Habbān IRIS Khalij-e Fars Khaleeji (currency) Khalij (album) Khaliji (music) Kuwaiti Persian List of Gulf War military equipment Map of Iran in Afsharid Era Media coverage of the Gulf War Ney-anbān Organization of United States Naval Aviation Units in the Gulf War Persian Gulf (horse) Persian Gulf (missile) Persian Gulf Inferno Persian Gulf National Day Persian Gulf Veterans National Medal Piracy in the Persian Gulf Project Loghman Rationale for the Gulf War The National (Abu Dhabi)
Bahrain Iran Iraq Kuwait Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates