Rabat – The esteemed Moroccan international referee Jalal Jayed has received the prestigious appointment to officiate the highly anticipated Gulf Cup 27 final, which is set to take place on Tuesday, October 6, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah. This pivotal match will feature hosts Saudi Arabia squaring off against the United Arab Emirates, adding a layer of excitement to the tournament's conclusion.
The Gulf Football Federation’s Referees Committee officially confirmed Jayed’s selection on Monday, further highlighting the recognition of Moroccan referees on the international stage. Joining him in this significant role are fellow Moroccan officials Zakaria Brinsi and Mostapha Akarkad, who have been designated as assistant referees for the match. Additionally, Kuwaiti referee Abdullah Jamali will fulfill the duties of the fourth official, while his compatriot Saud Al-Shamali will serve as the fifth official. In a further demonstration of Morocco's strong representation, Hamza El Fariq will take charge of the video assistant referee (VAR) team, supported by Dutch official Erwin Blank and Bahrain’s Ismail Habib, with Oman’s Ibrahim Al-Hosani serving as the referee assessor.
Jayed's Rising International Profile
This latest appointment marks yet another significant milestone in Jayed's rapidly expanding international refereeing career. Recently selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, Jayed showcased his officiating skills during several group-stage matches, including high-stakes encounters such as Germany versus Curaçao and Portugal against Uzbekistan. His consistent performance throughout the tournament led to him being retained for the closing stages, culminating in his role as the fourth official for the third-place playoff between football giants France and England. Since becoming an international referee in 2019, Jayed has distinguished himself as a leading figure in officiating, notably being the sole Moroccan central referee chosen among the match officials for this summer's World Cup.
Excitement Builds for the Final Showdown
The final match promises to be a thrilling contest as Saudi Arabia and the UAE vie for the coveted Gulf Cup title. Saudi Arabia made it to the final by overcoming the reigning Asian champions, Qatar, in a nail-biting semifinal that ended in a dramatic 3-2 victory via penalty shootout, following a tense 120 minutes of goalless play. On the other hand, the UAE secured their spot in the final with a narrow 1-0 win over Oman, thanks to a decisive goal from Ousmane Camara. This marks the UAE's first appearance in the Gulf Cup final since 2018, as they chase their third title, having previously won in 2007 and 2013. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia will benefit from home-field advantage as they aim to break a title drought that has lasted over two decades.
The tournament, officially dubbed Khaleeji Arabian Dyar 27, has been unfolding in Jeddah since September 23, culminating in this thrilling final match on Tuesday. Anticipation is high among fans and players alike as they prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
