Gulf Champions League: Doha chosen to host the 2025/2026 Final Four

World 02 April 2026 at 13:55

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

The Gulf Football Federation has officially announced that the final stages of the 2025/2026 Gulf Champions League will take place in Doha. This decision comes at the end of a selection process that saw several strong bids.

Doha will become the capital of Gulf club football as it is set to host the final stages of the 2025-2026 Gulf Champions League. Three clubs were in contention to stage this major event: Zakho (Iraq), Al Rayyan, and Al Shabab. Ultimately, it was Al Rayyan's bid that won over the federation's decision-makers.

The Qatari club was favored thanks to a more comprehensive application, as well as its strong sporting performances. As the leader of its group with a higher points tally than Al Shabab, who finished second in their group, Al Rayyan met all the competition's regulatory requirements.

Two renowned stadiums for a continental showdown

The matches will be played at two of Doha's iconic venues: the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium and the Khalifa International Stadium. The schedule is now set with the semi-finals slated for April 19, 2026: Zakho will face Al Shabab at Khalifa International Stadium, while Al Rayyan will take on Al Qadisiyah at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. The final will be held on April 23, 2026, at the same Ahmed bin Ali Stadium. This final phase will feature a compact format, with single-leg knockout matches to deliver even more intensity and suspense to the competition.

The competitions committee has approved a streamlined format: both the semi-finals and the final will be single matches, heightening the drama and sporting intensity.

With this organization, the Gulf Federation aims to deliver a competition worthy of its prestige. It promises high technical and logistical standards, working closely with local authorities to provide a spectacular edition that stays true to the spirit of regional football rivalry.