A unique incident occurred during the 27th edition of the Arabian Gulf Cup "Gulf 27," as the second qualifier from Group One for the semi-finals, alongside Saudi Arabia, was determined by a draw.
The Gulf Football Federation conducted a draw at a hotel in Jeddah to determine the second qualifier from Group One for the semi-finals of the Gulf tournament, alongside Saudi Arabia, between the Iraq and Oman national teams, after they were tied in all criteria.
The draw resulted in the Oman national team qualifying for the semi-finals, becoming the second qualifier from the group behind the Saudi national team, which topped the group with a perfect record (9 points).
Resorting to a draw sparked controversy, initiated by Australian Graham Arnold, the head coach of the Iraq national team, who demanded his team's direct qualification by referring to the regulations of the International Federation of Association Football "FIFA", due to their higher ranking compared to the Oman national team.
The story began with the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, when FIFA decided to amend the qualification system from the group stage in cases of ties in points, goals scored and conceded, and fair play.
FIFA decided to abolish the final clause stipulating resorting to a draw when teams are tied in everything, replacing it with the monthly ranking issued by FIFA, where the team with the higher ranking qualifies.
The Iraq national team ranks 63rd globally in FIFA's monthly ranking and eighth in Asia, ahead of the Oman national team, which holds the 80th position globally and eleventh in the continent.
Although this amendment was applied in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the Gulf Football Federation did not recognize it and insisted on the clause of resorting to a draw as a last resort when teams are tied in everything.
Both the Iraq and Oman national teams earned 4 points, drew 1-1 in their first match, each scored 4 goals and conceded 5, and each received 8 yellow cards, with no red cards.
This tie came after the matches of the third and final round of Group One, where the Saudi national team defeated its Iraqi counterpart 2-0 at Al-Inmaa Stadium in Jeddah.
At the same time, the Oman national team achieved an exciting victory, coming back from a one-goal deficit against Kuwait to win 3-1 in the final minutes of the match, a victory that later secured their qualification via the draw.
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