Qatar will be the hosts of the next Gulf Cup – the region’s showpiece national team football event – in 2019.
The decision was confirmed at a meeting of Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) chaired by Qatar Football Association (QFA) chairman and AGCFF chief H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani.
The committee also extended Sheikh Hamad’s presidency for a period of another two years.
The Gulf Cup has attracted a wide following since it was first held in Bahrain in 1970.
During the 23rd Gulf Cup held in Kuwait in January this year, Oman defeated UAE 5-4 in a penalty shootout in front of a capacity crowd at Jaber al Ahmad International Stadium to lift its second title.
The tournament comprises eight teams – Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Iraq and Yemen. Qatar previously hosted the prestigious event in 1976, 1992 and 2004.