On December 31, 2024, Bahrain secured a spot in the final of the 26th Gulf Cup of Nations by defeating Kuwait 1-0 at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Al-Ardiya, Kuwait. The victory came courtesy of a late goal from striker Mohammed Jassim Marhoon, who netted the only goal of the match in the 79th minute.

Bahrain played with ten men from the 52nd minute onwards after forward Mahdi Abdul Jabbar was shown a red card, yet they managed to hold on for the win.

With this victory, Bahrain is set to face Oman in the final on Saturday. Oman advanced after a dramatic 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia earlier in the day at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium.

Oman's goals came from Arshad Al-Alawi, who scored in the 74th minute, and Ali Al-Busaidi, who found the net in the 85th minute, while Mohammed Kanno replied for Saudi Arabia in the 87th minute. Oman also played with ten men after Al-Alawi was sent off in the 34th minute, but the teams were level when Saudi substitute Abdulilah Al-Hosawi received a red card deep into stoppage time.

This marks Oman's sixth appearance in the Gulf Cup final and their second consecutive trip, having previously reached the final five times since the knockout format was introduced in 2004. Oman, who won the tournament in 2009 and 2017, aims to reclaim the title after finishing as runners-up in the last edition in 2023.