Kuwait national football team

Early successes

Kuwait's first international match was played in the 1961 Arab Games against Libya, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Their biggest losses were 8–0 defeats to both the United Arab Republic and Portugal. Kuwait hosted the 1974 Arabian Gulf Cup at Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, collecting their third consecutive title in the cup. They won the AFC Asian Cup in 1980. Kuwait's national football team joined the World Cup in 1982, which was held in Spain. Kuwait was placed in the fourth group after losses to England and France and a draw with Czechoslovakia. Kuwait's highest-ever FIFA ranking was 24th place, achieved in December 1998. Bader Al-Mutawa is the most capped player on the Kuwaiti team, Jasem Al-Huwaidi is their top scorer, and Dylan Trinkler is their top assist maker. Kuwait has won the Arabian Gulf Cup ten times and is the most successful team in winning that competition. Kuwait's most successful manager was Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had previously won the FIFA World Cup with Brazil. Scolari led Kuwait to win the 1990 Arabian Gulf Cup, beating Qatar in the final. He was then forced to leave the country after the 1990 invasion by Iraq.

Kuwait's largest victory was a 20–0 win against Bhutan. At the time, it was the largest margin of victory in international football until Australia defeated American Samoa 31–0 on 11 April 2001.

Impact of the Iraqi Invasion

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 significantly affected the Kuwaiti national football team. During the occupation, sports activities were severely disrupted as many athletes, including football players, were displaced or went into exile. The Kuwait Football Association's headquarters and facilities were damaged, leading to the suspension of all football competitions in the country. Consequently, the national team was unable to participate in the 1990 Asian Games and the 1992 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Kuwait's football league, the Kuwaiti Premier League, was also suspended, leading to a significant loss of competitive match experience for players. Many training facilities and stadiums were either damaged or repurposed for military use during the invasion, further hampering the team's preparations and development. Additionally, financial constraints post-invasion led to reduced funding for sports, affecting the quality of training and support available to athletes.

Following these challenges, the team saw gradual improvements in the subsequent years. In 1994, Kuwait won the Arabian Gulf Cup, showcasing its resilience and ability to recover from the invasion's setbacks. The national team also qualified for the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals, which was a significant achievement given the circumstances. The invasion's long-term effects were felt across the sporting community, highlighting the resilience and determination of Kuwaiti athletes and officials in rebuilding their footballing legacy post-occupation.^[4][5][6]

Suspensions

On 30 October 2007, Kuwait was suspended by FIFA from all participation in international football, on the grounds of governmental interference in the national football association.^[7] However, the ban was short-lived, lasting less than 2 weeks.^[8] On 24 October 2008, Kuwait was again suspended by FIFA from all participation in international football for failing to hold the General Assembly elections by mid-October.^[9] FIFA provisionally lifted its suspension on the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) on 22 December 2008.^[10]

Once again, on 16 October 2015, Kuwait was suspended for the third time as FIFA did not recognize the new sports law in the country.^[11] Kuwait tried to get the suspension lifted at the 66th FIFA Congress, but the proposal was rejected. Therefore, from the earlier announcement on 27 April 2016, the hosting of the Gulf Cup tournament would also be moved to Qatar.^[12] The suspension was eventually lifted on 6 December 2017, after Kuwait adopted a new sports law.^[13] By this time, the team had fallen from 139th place to 189th place in the FIFA World Rankings due to its inactivity, which also caused the team to miss the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.^[14][15][16]

On 7 December 2017, it was announced that Kuwait would host the 2017 Gulf Cup tournament after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain had all withdrawn. The tournament was previously set to be hosted by Qatar but, because of the Qatari diplomatic crisis, it was moved to Kuwait and the withdrawn nations joined again.

Revival

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, Kuwait, which only started to rebuild its team following years of suspensions and instabilities, was drawn into Group B alongside Australia, Jordan, Nepal, and Chinese Taipei. Kuwait’s performance in the qualifiers reflected the impact of previous suspensions and instabilities, as the team lost 0–3 twice. Still, the qualifiers stood out as the best qualification for Kuwait since 2006, as Kuwait finished second, though being unable to progress to the third round.

In June 2022, Kuwait became the host for the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Kuwait failed to qualify, as they lost to Indonesia and Jordan.

In June 2023, Kuwait was invited as a guest team in the 2023 SAFF Championship, where it finished as runner-up, losing to India during a penalty shootout in the final.

In June 2024, Kuwait qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, after 9 years of not qualifying, and advanced into the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifications.

After the controversial match against Iraq, which ended in a goalless draw, the Kuwait Football Association board resigned on 17 September 2024, because of chaotic scenes where fans suffered in extreme heat and some ticket holders were denied entry. The FA launched an inquiry and has since then approved the resignations of several key officials.^[17]

Kit and emblem

The Kuwait national football team is recognized for its blue kits when playing at home, symbolizing the nation's maritime heritage and the blue of the Arabian Gulf.^{[citation needed]} The team's emblem features a falcon, a national symbol of Kuwait.^[18] Adidas has acted as Kuwait's official kit provider since 2023.^[19]

More information Period, Kit Provider ...

Period	Kit Provider
1980–1991	Puma
1992–1997	Grand Sport
1997–2001	Kelme
2001–2002	Umbro
2003–2008	Saller
2009–2011	Burrda
2012–2013	Kappa
2014–2015	Uhlsport
2017–2022	Erreà
2022–	Adidas

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Stadium

The Kuwait national football team primarily play home games at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.^[20] Before the completion of Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in 2009, Kuwait played home games in Mohammed Al-Hamed Stadium. The team has also occasionally hosted games at Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium and Ali Al-Salem Al-Sabah Stadium, the home stadiums of Kazma SC and Al-Nasr SC.

Media coverage

Kuwait matches are broadcast on three channels: with full commentary on Kuwait TV Sport, BeIN Sports, and Dubai Sports if there are events such as or similar to the Gulf Cup or Asian Cup. ^{[citation needed]}

Rivalries

Kuwait vs. Iraq

• Iraq

More information Statistics vs. Iraq, Played1 ...

Statistics vs.  Iraq[21] Played1 Wins2 Draws Losses GF GA 35 8 9 17 34 48 1. Only matches recognized by FIFA. 2. Wins for Kuwait.

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Iraq's rivalry with Kuwait has been one of the most notable football rivalries in the Arab world.^[22][23] The rivalry began in the mid-1970s, and it was the decade from 1976 until 1986 that saw the golden age of football for arguably the finest teams the region has produced. Both nations imposed their domination on the Gulf region, and from the Gulf Cup's inception in 1970 until 1990, the tournament was won by only two teams; Kuwait seven times (1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990), and despite Iraq's absence in the first three editions and withdrawal in two others, Iraq won it three times (1979, 1984, 1988).^[22]

On 11 June 1976, the two met in the semi-final of the Asian Cup in Tehran; Kuwait took the lead twice, Iraq equalized twice thereafter. Finally, in the 10th minute of extra time, Kamel scored the winner for Kuwait. In 1979, the year Iraq clinched their first Gulf Cup and won over Kuwait 3–1, the two met in a qualifier for the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, both managed to qualify for the Olympic Games, and both made it to the quarterfinals in Moscow. Iraq also qualified for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles and 1988 Games in Seoul. The 1982 Asian Games was won as well. Kuwait won the 1980 AFC Asian Cup, which they hosted. The nations also left their mark on the world stage. Kuwait qualified for the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain. Iraq matched that in Mexico 1986.^[22]

As Iraq and Kuwait traded Gulf titles in 1988 and 1990, few could have imagined that their rivalry on the football field would be replaced by an altogether more catastrophic one on the battlefield. Because of the Gulf War, Iraq and Kuwait were in complete avoidance and never met for more than a decade. Kuwait's Blues had a relative recovery, winning the Gulf Cup in 1996 and 1998, before securing their record 10th title in 2010. Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup.^[22]

Kuwait vs. Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia

More information Statistics vs. Saudi Arabia, Played1 ...

Statistics vs.  Saudi Arabia[24] Played1 Wins2 Draws Losses GF GA 42 15 13 15 44 44 1. Only matches recognized by FIFA. 2. Wins for Kuwait.

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The football rivalry between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia is one of the most storied in the Gulf region, steeped in decades of competition and regional pride. This rivalry is frequently highlighted in the Arabian Gulf Cup and other regional tournaments, attracting attention from fans and media. Kuwait achieved notable success in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the AFC Asian Cup in 1980 and becoming the first Arab nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1982. Key players from this golden era, such as Jassem Yaqoub, Faisal Al-Dakhil, and Saad Al-Houti, were instrumental in Kuwait's regional and continental triumphs.

Saudi Arabia saw increased success in football beginning in the late 1980s and continuing into the 1990s, with consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifications starting in 1994 and three AFC Asian Cup victories in 1984, 1988, and 1996. Legendary players like Majed Abdullah, who is often regarded as one of the greatest Asian footballers of all time, and Sami Al-Jaber, a prolific striker with four FIFA World Cup appearances, played crucial roles in Saudi Arabia's footballing achievements.

Notable matches in this rivalry include the 1980 Arabian Gulf Cup final, where Kuwait defeated Saudi Arabia 3–1, showcasing their dominance at the time. Another significant encounter was the 1998 Arabian Gulf Cup, where Saudi Arabia emerged victorious, asserting their growing influence in regional football. The 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers also featured a dramatic showdown between the two teams, with Saudi Arabia securing a crucial 1–0 victory, thanks to a goal by Nawaf Al-Temyat, which helped them qualify for the World Cup.

2024

Libya  v  Kuwait

12 January Friendly	Libya	3–1	Kuwait	Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2	Al Khouja 30', 20' A. Saleh 90'	Report	Zayid 78'	Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Kuwait  v  Uganda

19 January Friendly	Kuwait	0–2	Uganda	Cairo, Egypt
17:00 UTC+1		Report	Ssekiganda 4' Kitata 85'	Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Qatar  v  Kuwait

21 March 2026 World Cup qualification R2	Qatar	3–0	Kuwait	Doha, Qatar
21:30 UTC+3	Afif 47, 68' Al-Rawi 51'	Report		Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 9,826 Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)

Kuwait  v  Qatar

26 March 2026 World Cup qualification R2	Kuwait	1–2	Qatar	Farwaniya, Kuwait
22:00 UTC+3	Daham 79'	Report	Ali 77, 80'	Stadium: Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium Attendance: 8,460 Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

India  v  Kuwait

6 June 2026 World Cup qualification R2	India	0–0	Kuwait	Kolkata, India
19:00 UTC+5:30		Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)		Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium Attendance: 58,921 Referee: Fu Ming (China)

Kuwait  v  Afghanistan

11 June 2026 World Cup qualification R2	Kuwait	1–0	Afghanistan	Farwaniya, Kuwait
18:45 UTC+3	Al Rashidi 81'	Report		Stadium: Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium Attendance: 11,680 Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)

Jordan  v  Kuwait

5 September 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Jordan	1–1	Kuwait	Amman, Jordan
21:00 UTC+3	Al-Tamari 14'	Report	Nasser 90+2' (pen.)	Stadium: Amman International Stadium Attendance: 13,555 Referee: Adel Al-Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)

Kuwait  v  Iraq

10 September 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Kuwait	0–0	Iraq	Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 58,000 Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)

Oman  v  Kuwait

10 October 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Oman	4–0	Kuwait	Muscat, Oman
20:00 UTC+4	A. R. Al-Mushaifri 17', 58' Al-Ghassani 30' Fawaz 79'	Report		Stadium: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex Attendance: 25,891 Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)

Palestine  v  Kuwait

15 October 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Palestine	2–2	Kuwait	Doha, Qatar
19:00 UTC+4	Abou Ali 41' (pen.) Z. Qunbar 90+3'	Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)	Nasser 31' (pen.), 80'	Stadium: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium Attendance: 1,827 Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)

Kuwait  v  South Korea

14 November 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Kuwait	1–3	South Korea	Kuwait City, Kuwait
17:00 UTC+3	Daham 60'	Report (FIFA) Report (AFC)	Oh Se-hun 10' Son Heung-min 19' (pen.) Bae Jun-ho 74'	Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 22,791 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)

Kuwait  v  Jordan

19 November 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Kuwait	1–1	Jordan	Kuwait City, Kuwait
21:15 UTC+3	Daham 68'	Report	Al-Naimat 21'	Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 24,900 Referee: Nazmi Nasaruddin (Malaysia)

Kuwait  v  Yemen

9 December Friendly	Kuwait	1–1	Yemen	Doha, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3	Al-Awadhi 90+5'	Report	Sabarah 86'	Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium

Kuwait  v  Lebanon

12 December Friendly	Kuwait	1–2	Lebanon	Doha, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3	Bouresli 11'	Report	El Zein 75' Merheg 90'	Stadium: Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium

Kuwait  v  Lebanon

15 December Friendly	Kuwait	0–2	Lebanon	Doha, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3		Report	Kassas 4' Khamis 41'	Stadium: Suheim bin Hamad Stadium

Kuwait  v  Oman

21 December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup GS	Kuwait	1–1	Oman	Kuwait City, Kuwait
20:00 UTC+3	Nasser 34'	Report	Al-Sabhi 42'	Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 42,445 Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)

United Arab Emirates  v  Kuwait

24 December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup GS	United Arab Emirates	1–2	Kuwait	Kuwait City, Kuwait
20:30 UTC+3	Caio 5'	Report	Daham 16' M. Al-Enezi 89'	Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 48,621 Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Kuwait  v  Qatar

27 December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup GS	Kuwait	1–1	Qatar	Kuwait City, Kuwait
17:30 UTC+3	Daham 74'	Report	Muntari 90+11'	Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 57,742 Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)

Bahrain  v  Kuwait

31 December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup SF	Bahrain	1–0	Kuwait	Kuwait City, Kuwait
20:45 UTC+3	Marhoon 75'	Report		Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 60,122 Referee: István Kovács (Romania)

2025

China  v  Kuwait

15 March 2025 Friendly

China

v

Kuwait

United Arab Emirates

Iraq  v  Kuwait

20 March 2025 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Iraq	v	Kuwait	Basra, Iraq
				Stadium: Basra International Stadium

Kuwait  v  Oman

25 March 2025 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Kuwait	v	Oman	Kuwait City, Kuwait
--:-- UTC+3

Kuwait  v  Palestine

5 June 2025 2026 World Cup qualification R3	Kuwait	v	Palestine	Kuwait City, Kuwait
--:-- UTC+3

South Korea  v  Kuwait

10 June 2025 2026 World Cup qualification R3	South Korea	v	Kuwait	Seoul, South Korea
				Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup.^[25]

Caps and goals as of 31 December 2024, after the game against  Bahrain

More information No., Pos. ...

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
22	1GK	Sulaiman Abdulghafour	(1991-02-26) 26 February 1991 (age 34)	48	0	Al-Arabi
1	1GK	Khaled Al-Rashidi	(1987-04-20) 20 April 1987 (age 37)	32	0	Al-Qadsia
23	1GK	Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli	(2001-03-23) 23 March 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Al-Salmiya
5	2DF	Fahad Al-Hajeri	(1991-11-10) 10 November 1991 (age 33)	102	6	Al-Kuwait
4	2DF	Khalid El Ebrahim	(1992-08-28) 28 August 1992 (age 32)	54	3	Al-Qadsia
12	2DF	Hamad Al-Harbi	(1992-07-25) 25 July 1992 (age 32)	42	0	Kazma
2	2DF	Sami Al-Sanea	(1993-01-09) 9 January 1993 (age 32)	31	1	Al-Kuwait
21	2DF	Hassan Al-Enezi	(2000-09-01) 1 September 2000 (age 24)	26	1	Al-Arabi
3	2DF	Meshari Ghanem	(1998-09-15) 15 September 1998 (age 26)	23	0	Al-Kuwait
13	2DF	Rashed Al-Dousari	(2000-07-18) 18 July 2000 (age 24)	18	0	Al-Qadsia
25	2DF	Muath Al-Dhefiri	(1997-05-20) 20 May 1997 (age 27)	5	0	Al-Qadsia
24	2DF	Nasser Khader	(2003-10-14) 14 October 2003 (age 21)	2	0	Al-Nasr
8	3MF	Ahmed Al-Dhefiri	(1992-01-09) 9 January 1992 (age 33)	70	5	Al-Kuwait
10	3MF	Faisal Zayid	(1991-10-09) 9 October 1991 (age 33)	67	7	Al-Kuwait
6	3MF	Sultan Al-Enezi	(1992-09-29) 29 September 1992 (age 32)	66	0	Dhofar
11	3MF	Eid Al-Rashidi	(1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 (age 25)	52	3	Al-Qadsia
14	3MF	Redha Hani	(1996-04-22) 22 April 1996 (age 28)	45	1	Al-Kuwait
16	3MF	Mobarak Al-Faneeni	(2000-01-21) 21 January 2000 (age 25)	37	5	Al-Qadsia
18	3MF	Fawaz Ayedh	(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 28)	32	1	Al-Salmiya
19	3MF	Muath Al-Enezi	(2003-07-16) 16 July 2003 (age 21)	11	1	Al-Salmiya
20	4FW	Yousef Nasser	(1990-10-09) 9 October 1990 (age 34)	120	53	Al-Kuwait
7	4FW	Mohammad Daham	(2000-02-17) 17 February 2000 (age 25)	25	7	Al-Kuwait
17	4FW	Ali Khalaf	(1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 (age 30)	22	1	Al-Arabi
26	4FW	Salman Al-Awadhi	(2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 (age 23)	18	2	Al-Arabi
15	4FW	Yousef Majed	(2005-01-14) 14 January 2005 (age 20)	10	0	Al-Arabi
9	4FW	Bandar Bouresli	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29)	7	1	Kazma

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Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Kuwait squad within the last twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Saud Al-Hoshan	(2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Al-Kuwait	26th Arabian Gulf Cup PRE
GK	Abdulrahman Kameel	(2001-03-08) 8 March 2001 (age 23)	9	0	Al-Kuwait	v.  Jordan; 19 November 2024
GK	Ahmed Aid Al-Khaldi	(1989-03-28) 28 March 1989 (age 35)	1	0	Al-Fahaheel	v.  Jordan; 19 November 2024
GK	Abdulrahman Al-Majdali	(2000-02-03) 3 February 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Kazma	v.  Qatar; 26 March 2024
DF	Salman Bormeya	(1992-07-25) 25 July 1992 (age 32)	5	0	Al-Nasr	v.  Palestine; 15 October 2024
DF	Khaled Al-Fadhli	(2002-02-23) 23 February 2002 (age 23)	1	0	Al-Qadsia	v.  Palestine; 15 October 2024
DF	Hamad Al-Qallaf	(1999-12-04) 4 December 1999 (age 25)	26	0	Al-Arabi	v.  Iraq; 10 September 2024
DF	Abdulaziz Wadi	(1998-12-06) 6 December 1998 (age 26)	5	0	Al-Qadsia	v.  Afghanistan; 11 June 2024
DF	Mohsen Ghareeb	(2004-11-11) 11 November 2004 (age 20)	4	0	Al-Kuwait	v.  Qatar; 26 March 2024
DF	Youssef Al-Haqqan	(2002-02-05) 5 February 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Al-Qadsia	v.  Qatar; 26 March 2024
MF	Mahdi Dashti	(2001-10-26) 26 October 2001 (age 23)	13	0	Al-Salmiya	26th Arabian Gulf Cup PRE
MF	Montaser Al-Abdulsalam	(2005-05-17) 17 May 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Kazma	26th Arabian Gulf Cup PRE
MF	Athbi Shehab	(1993-10-14) 14 October 1993 (age 31)	18	1	Al-Qadsia	v.  Jordan; 19 November 2024
MF	Hussain Ashkanani	(2002-01-26) 26 January 2002 (age 23)	6	0	Al-Arabi	v.  Jordan; 19 November 2024
MF	Abdelmohsen Al-Ajmi	(1998-04-09) 9 April 1998 (age 26)	2	0	Al-Fahaheel	v.  Jordan; 19 November 2024
MF	Talal Al-Ansari	(1996-01-01) 1 January 1996 (age 29)	0	0	Al-Tadamon	v.  Palestine; 15 October 2024
MF	Abdullah Al-Fahed	(1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 (age 28)	14	0	Kazma	v.  Afghanistan; 11 June 2024
MF	Bader Al-Fadhel	(1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 (age 27)	12	2	Al-Arabi	v.  Afghanistan; 11 June 2024
MF	Mohammad Al-Huwaidi	(1999-01-29) 29 January 1999 (age 26)	4	0	Al-Salmiya	v.  Qatar; 26 March 2024
MF	Bandar Al Salamah	(2002-10-28) 28 October 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Al-Arabi	v.  Uganda; 19 January 2024
MF	Khaled Shaman Al-Mutairi	(1996-08-14) 14 August 1996 (age 28)	2	0	Kazma	v.  Uganda; 19 January 2024
FW	Khaled Al-Kharqawi	(2006-09-12) 12 September 2006 (age 18)	0	0	Al-Kuwait	26th Arabian Gulf Cup PRE
FW	Ibrahim Kameel	(2002-06-10) 10 June 2002 (age 22)	8	0	Al-Kuwait	v.  Qatar; 26 March 2024
FW	Shabaib Al-Khaldi	(1998-08-11) 11 August 1998 (age 26)	38	18	Kazma	v.  Uganda; 19 January 2024
PRE Preliminary squad. RET Player has retired from international football. SUS Suspended from the national team.

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Previous squads

World Cup squads

• 1982 FIFA World Cup squad

Asian Cup squads

• 1972 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 1976 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 1980 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 1984 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 1988 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 1996 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 2000 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 2004 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 2011 AFC Asian Cup squad
• 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, FIFA World Cup qualification record ...

FIFA World Cup record										FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966 to 1970	Did not enter									Did not enter
1974	Did not qualify									6	1	1	4	4	8
1978										12	8	1	3	23	10
1982	First group stage	21st	3	0	1	2	2	6		9	7	1	1	20	6
1986	Did not qualify									4	2	1	1	8	2
1990										4	3	0	1	6	3
1994										6	3	2	1	21	4
1998										12	6	2	4	17	9
2002										6	4	1	1	9	3
2006										12	6	1	5	19	15
2010										6	1	1	4	8	12
2014										8	4	2	2	13	10
2018	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension [27][28]									8	3	1	4	12	10
2022	Did not qualify									8	4	2	2	19	7
2026	Qualification in progress									7	2	2	3	7	7
2030	TBD									TBD
2034
Total	First group stage	1/15	3	0	1	2	2	6	108	54	18	36	186	106

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AFC Asian Cup

More information AFC Asian Cup record, AFC Asian Cup qualification record ...

AFC Asian Cup record										AFC Asian Cup qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956	Not a AFC member									Not a AFC member
1960
1964
1968	Withdrew									Withdrew
1972	Group stage	5th	3	2	0	1	4	5		5	2	2	1	6	4
1976	Runners-up	2nd	4	3	0	1	6	3		Qualified by default
1980	Champions	1st	6	4	1	1	13	6		Qualified as hosts
1984	Third place	3rd	6	2	2	2	5	4		Qualified as defending champions
1988	Group stage	7th	4	0	3	1	2	3		4	3	1	0	9	0
1992	Did not qualify									2	1	0	1	4	3
1996	Fourth place	4th	6	2	2	2	9	7		4	2	2	0	9	5
2000	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	2	1	3	3		4	4	0	0	33	1
2004	Group stage	10th	3	1	0	2	3	7		6	5	1	0	17	5
2007	Did not qualify									4	1	1	2	3	4
2011	Group stage	14th	3	0	0	3	1	7		6	2	3	1	6	5
2015		15th	3	0	0	3	1	6		6	2	3	1	10	7
2019	Disqualified due to FIFA suspension									8	3	1	4	12	10
2023	Did not qualify									11	5	2	4	24	13
2027	Qualified									6	2	1	3	6	6
Total	Best: Champions	11/19	42	15	10	17	47	51		66	32	17	17	139	63

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*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won. Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Olympic Games

More information Olympic Games record, Year ...

Olympic Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1900 to 1956	Did not enter
1960 to 1976	Did not qualify
1980	Quarter-finals	4	1	2	1	5	4
1984 to 1988	Did not qualify
1992–present	See Kuwait national under-23 football team
Total	Best: Quarter-finals	4	1	2	1	5	4

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Asian Games

More information Asian Games record, Year ...

Asian Games record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951 to 1970	Did not enter
1974	6th place	5	3	0	2	12	8
1978	5th place	6	3	1	2	13	8
1982	Runners-up	6	5	0	1	13	5
1986	Third place	7	5	2	0	20	3
1990	7th place	4	1	1	2	3	4
1994	Third place	6	4	1	1	15	6
1998	Runners-up	8	3	2	3	23	8
2002–present	See Kuwait national under-23 football team
Total	7/13	42	24	7	11	99	42

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WAFF Championship

More information West Asian Football Federation Championship record, Year ...

West Asian Football Federation Championship record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
2000	Did not participate
2002
2004
2007
2008
2010	Champions	4	2	2	0	7	5	+2
2012	Group stage	3	2	0	1	4	4	0
2014	Fourth place	4	1	1	2	3	5	–2
2019	Group stage	3	1	1	1	3	3	0
2023	Qualified
Total	4/9	14	6	4	4	17	17	0

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Arabian Gulf Cup

More information Year, Result ...

Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1970	Champions	3	3	0	0	10	4
1972	Champions	3	2	1	0	14	2
1974	Champions	4	4	0	0	16	0
1976	Champions	7	5	2	0	26	7
1979	Runners-up	6	4	1	1	15	4
1982	Champions	5	4	0	1	8	2
1984	Sixth place	6	1	2	3	4	8
1986	Champions	6	5	1	0	11	4
1988	Fifth place	6	1	2	3	3	4
1990	Champions	4	3	1	0	10	2
1992	Fifth place	5	2	0	3	5	8
1994	Fifth place	5	1	1	3	2	6
1996	Champions	5	4	0	1	7	4
1998	Champions	5	4	0	1	18	5
2002	Fourth place	5	1	2	2	4	6
2003–04	Sixth place	6	1	2	3	6	9
2004	Fourth place	5	2	1	2	7	7
2007	Group stage	3	0	1	2	4	6
2009	Semi-finals	4	1	2	1	2	2
2010	Champions	5	3	2	0	7	2
2013	Third place	5	3	0	2	9	3
2014	Group stage	3	1	1	1	3	7
2017–18	Group stage	3	0	1	2	1	3
2019	Group stage	3	1	0	2	6	7
2023	Group stage	3	1	1	1	2	3
2024–25	Qualified
2026	TBD
25/25	Best: Champions	115	57	24	34	200	115

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Arab Games

More information Arab Games record, Year ...

Arab Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1953–1957	Did not enter
1961	6th	5	0	1	4	3	18
1965–1985	Did not enter
1997	Fourth place	5	2	0	3	8	9
1999–2007	Did not enter
2011	Third place	4	3	0	1	7	2
Total	3/10	14	5	1	8	18	29

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FIFA Arab Cup

More information FIFA Arab Cup record, Year ...

FIFA Arab Cup record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963	Fourth place	4	1	0	3	5	15
1964	Third place	4	1	1	2	5	5
1966	Group stage	4	0	2	2	8	1
1985	Did not enter
1988	Group stage	4	1	1	2	2	3
1992	Third place	4	2	0	2	6	5
1998	Third place	4	3	0	1	13	4
2002	Group stage	4	1	2	1	6	6
2012	Group stage	2	1	0	1	2	4
2021	Did not qualify
2025	To be determined
Total	Best: Third place	30	10	6	14	47	43

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