The Bahrain national football team was bursting with confidence before their match against Oman in the famous final of the 26th Gulf Cup in Kuwait, which took place in an exciting atmosphere before last night’s pivotal practice.

During yesterday’s pre-game press conference, head coach Dragan Talajic made it apparent that his team is determined to make history again. Talajic stressed that they are adamant about winning the coveted trophy once more, with a 2019 championship victory still fresh in their minds.

The emotional statement, “My boys will write history,” came from Talajic. “They have previously made their mark under coach Helio Sousa, and I’m here to guide them towards repeating that success, inshaallah.”

The highly anticipated match is set to take place at Jaber International Stadium, which is located in the center of Kuwait City, at 7:30 PM Bahrain time.

“I am incredibly proud of my boys, my 30 sons,” Talajic said, reflecting on his team’s incredible journey throughout the competition. It is really astounding what they have accomplished in the last few weeks. The team has been flawless and has advanced to this final thanks to their outstanding efforts.

With star forward Mahdi Abduljabbar unavailable due to a ban after receiving a red card in the semi-final triumph against Kuwait, Bahrain will have to confront this formidable obstacle without his assistance. Talajic expressed his annoyance at Abduljabbar’s absence but maintained that the squad will use their resources to pay tribute to him and the other injured teammates, such as Sayed Hashem Issa, Abbas Al Asfoor, and Ali Haram.

“Mahdi’s situation is disappointing because he cannot be replaced. He has given everything for Bahrain, but that’s part of the game,” Talajic lamented. “My boys are an incredible group. They will fight not just for the kingdom and themselves but also for Mahdi and our injured players. We’re determined to win for them, inshaallah.”

Talajic expects the fight against Oman to be hotly contested. He admitted that their opponents have a small edge because they are higher in FIFA’s rankings and have won the tournament so far.

“We hold Oman in the highest regard,” Talajic said. “Both teams will have a difficult game. Kudos to the coach and the Oman national team for making it to the final. They have proven resilient in trying circumstances, particularly following their victory over Saudi Arabia in the semifinals.

Sayed Mohammed Jaafar, a seasoned goalie who led Bahrain’s winning team in 2019, emphasized the value of experience in tonight’s match. “We are aware of what we must do to prevail in this game. We’ve come this far thanks to teamwork, perseverance, and hard work,” he said through an interpreter.

Talajic also commended the friendship of Ammar Mohammed, Ebrahim Luthfallah, and Jaafar, the goalkeepers for Bahrain. “All three of our outstanding goalkeepers are deserving of starting. Throughout my career, I have never witnessed such encouragement from goalkeepers. I am so pleased of them since they are always together, whether it is for training, lunch, or dinner.

Talajic underlined the importance of tonight’s game in light of Bahrain’s 2026 qualifying campaign starting up again in March. For us, the kingdom, our people, and ourselves, this game is crucial. We know we have a difficult road ahead in our World Cup ambition, but winning today would give us a huge boost of confidence.”

In preparation for the pivotal match, the Bahraini team trained one last time in Kuwait City’s Qadsia Club last night.

Kuwaiti officials have decided to exclude Bahraini fans from fingerprinting when they arrive in the nation for the final, according to a positive announcement made by Bahraini Ambassador to Kuwait Salah Ali Almalki. This formal process will only need to be finished by fans when they depart. “I extend my sincere appreciation to His Excellency Shaikh Fahad Al Yusuf for accommodating our fans, ensuring a swift and hassle-free entry into Kuwait,” the ambassador said on his official X account.