The Gulf Cup Championship generates great excitement among football lovers and fans in the Arab World in general and in GCC countries in particular. This tournament attracts football teams of GCC countries, in addition to Yemen and Iraq.
The Gulf Cup was launched in 1968 during the Summer Olympic Games in Mexico. The countries that took part in the inaugural tournament in 1970 were Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
As a result of the rising popularity of the event, the 21st Gulf Cup, held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain from January 5 to 8, 2013 attracted a large number of spectators and soccer fans from across the region. The national football team of the United Arab Emirates won this prestigious tournament for the second time in its history, unleashing waves of celebrations across the country.