CAIRO: A week ago, a football match took place whose long-term significance may end up being of far bigger consequence than the immediate result.
To much less fanfare than is reserved for the senior event, Egypt beat the UAE 3-1 at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha to win the U-17 Arabian Gulf Cup.
The 2026 event was the first to be played under the rebranded banner of GGF U-17 Gulf Cup and, far more significantly, the first to have participants from outside the eight traditional members of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Kuwait and Yemen. China was the other invited team.
This tournament serves as important preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, also taking place in Qatar from Nov. 19 to Dec. 13. The Egyptian national team will play the first match against Greece in Group A.
For Egypt’s youngsters, it was an entry into the history books.
Khaled Abu Al-Rakab scored their opener from a cross by Ahmed Safwat in the 19th minute, but at the stroke of half-time Butti Al-Junaidi equalized for the UAE from a penalty spot.
Egypt wrapped up the match and the title with goals by Mohamed Attia in the 67th minute and Khaled Mousa in the 81st.
