Gulf Cup of Nations

Gulf Cup of Nations (Arabian Gulf Cup, Gulf Cup) - an international football competition for the national teams of the Arab Gulf region’s eight member nations, organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) and contested since 1970. Regulations: 8 teams take part, with 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw and 0 for a loss, the final tournament usually starts with a group stage of two groups of four playing a single round-robin, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. In the group stage, if teams are level on points, rankings are decided by head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, if more than two teams are tied the head-to-head criteria are reapplied to the subset still tied, then overall goal difference, overall goals scored, disciplinary points and drawing of lots. In the knockout stage, extra time and then a penalty shoot-out are used if required.