Oman and Qatar will compete in the Gulf Cup for the first time in over a decade on Tuesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, each seeking their first victory in this edition of the tournament.

Match preview

Oman showed their resilience on matchday one, levelling their match against the hosts eight minutes after going behind, registering just one effort on target in 90 minutes.

The runners-up at this event in 2023 have earned a positive result in three of their previous four competitive fixtures, suffering just one defeat over that stretch (1-0 against Iraq).

Rashid Jaber's men have conceded a goal or fewer in each of their last four games across all competitions but have not scored more than once in any of those matches.

They have collected at least a point in four consecutive Gulf Cup group contests, with their last defeat in this phase of the competition occurring in December 2019 (3-1 to Saudi Arabia).

Only once in 2024 did Samba Al-Khaleej beat a side currently above them in the FIFA rankings, claiming a narrow 1-0 triumph over the UAE in early January.

Al-Ahmar have won six consecutive matches in all competitions after netting the opening goal, suffering just one defeat all year when doing so (2-1 against Saudi Arabia at the Asian Cup).

The runners-up at this event in 2023 have earned a positive result in three of their previous four competitive fixtures, suffering just one defeat over that stretch (1-0 against Iraq).

Rashid Jaber's men have conceded a goal or fewer in each of their last four games across all competitions but have not scored more than once in any of those matches.

They have collected at least a point in four consecutive Gulf Cup group contests, with their last defeat in this phase of the competition occurring in December 2019 (3-1 to Saudi Arabia).

Only once in 2024 did Samba Al-Khaleej beat a side currently above them in the FIFA rankings, claiming a narrow 1-0 triumph over the UAE in early January.

Al-Ahmar have won six consecutive matches in all competitions after netting the opening goal, suffering just one defeat all year when doing so (2-1 against Saudi Arabia at the Asian Cup).

The reigning two-time Asian Cup champions are in danger of going winless in three straight international fixtures for the first time since 2023.

Luis Garcia has been tasked with transforming the fortunes of this side, with the former Copa Del Rey champion as a player at Espanyol managing in just his second match at the helm on Tuesday.

Qatar have not claimed points in consecutive group matches at the Gulf Cup since 2019, following up a 2-1 defeat to Iraq that year with victories over Yemen (6-0) and the UAE (4-2).

In the 21st century, they have never lost a Gulf Cup group contest when netting multiple times, winning their last eight matches in this phase when doing so.

Not since 2009 have they suffered a defeat versus Oman, with Qatar going unbeaten in nine successive matches against them in all competitions.

Oman possible starting lineup:

Al-Mukhaini; Al-Harthi, Al-Khamisi, Al-Musalami, Al-Busaidi; Al-Saadi, Al-Alawi; Al-Yahmadi, Fawaz, Al-Mushaifri; Al-Sabhi

Qatar possible starting lineup:

Barsham; Salman, Al-Hussain, Ellethy; Al-Hassan, Fathy, Mashaal, Al-Brake; Abdurisag, Ali, Afif