Doha (AFP)

The Gulf Football Cup begins Tuesday in Doha with the participation of teams from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain for the first time since these countries broke off relations with Qatar in June 2017.

The three countries announced on November 12 that they will compete for the 24th edition of this regional competition, raising hopes of a relaxation of their relations with Qatar and a reduction of what the latter describes as a "blockade".

With Egypt, they accuse Doha of supporting radical Islamist movements, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and being too close to Iran, which the Qataris deny.

These countries impose an embargo on the gas emirate, which has led to the ban of airspace from these countries to Qatar planes, the closure of land routes and the suspension of trade.

Kuwaiti Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah told reporters earlier this month that the decision of these countries to visit Doha was "a clear indication of progress made in resolving the Gulf crisis." ".

Other measures have been taken "which affirm that we are going in the right direction to obtain positive results", he added without giving details.

A representative of the Arab League will travel to Doha for a conference during the tournament, raising hopes for mediation efforts.

Ryad, Abu Dhabi and Manama had refused to participate in the previous Gulf Cup two years ago, which was originally scheduled to be held in Qatar just months after the start of the regional crisis. They took part in the tournament when it was transferred in extremis to Kuwait, who tried to play the role of mediator between the protagonists.

- "Welcome to Qatar" -

"Welcome to Qatar," the Qatari Football Federation wrote on Twitter on the arrival of the Saudi and Emirati delegations in Doha.

Their decision to participate in the regional competition is as "political as sport," Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, an Emirati professor of political science, said on Twitter.

"Football (...) could open the door for sport fans to come to Qatar to support their teams, which necessarily means lifting the ban on travel to Qatar, and the return of cohesion in the Gulf, "he wrote.

Ryad, Abu Dhabi and Manama have not said whether their nationals will be able to travel directly to Qatar, which is currently not possible by direct flights between these capitals and Doha.

The opening match will be held at Doha's Khalifa Stadium at 1630 GMT on Tuesday between Iraq and the host country. The Emirates will then face Yemen at 18:30 GMT.

On December 2, the Emirati team will play against Qatar and the match should attract all attention, including the behavior of supporters of both countries.

- Tensions with Iran -

Qatar's national football team was forced to play without fans during the Asian Cup earlier this year in the UAE, where security attempted to ban the Qatari flag from the stands.

Conversely, Bahrain champion Salwa Eid Nasser received a warm welcome in Doha in October after winning the 400m at the World Athletics Championships, both with the flag and the anthem of her country.

Expectations of relaxation in the Gulf appear, despite the refusal of Doha to yield to the conditions imposed by the boycotting countries to resume relations. These conditions include the closure of the Qatari TV channel Al-Jazeera, the reduction of links with Tehran and the closure of a Turkish military base in Qatar.

While sports relations seem to be evolving, this progress comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the region, where Iran is accused of attacking Gulf vessels and major oil infrastructure. in Saudi Arabia.

The tournament, which also includes Kuwait and Oman, will conclude on December 8.

© 2019 AFP