Kuwait national football team
Nickname(s) | Al-Azraq (The Blue) (The Blue Wave) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Kuwait Football Association | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | ||
Head coach | Rui Bento | ||
Captain | Fahad Al Hajeri | ||
Most caps | Bader Al-Mutawa (196)[1] | ||
Top scorer | Bashar Abdullah (75) | ||
Home stadium | Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium | ||
FIFA code | KUW | ||
| |||
2010) | |||
WAFF Championship | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2010) | ||
Best result | Champions (2010) | ||
Website | kuwait-fa |
The Kuwait national football team (
Kuwait's 20–0 win over
While Kuwait was one of Asia's major football forces from the 1970s to the 2000s, the strength of the national team started to fade slowly from the 2010s, with Kuwait failing in two consecutive Asian Cups in 2011 and 2015, before being disqualified for 2019 edition and missing out on 2023 AFC Asian Cup. The team has also failed to reach any World Cup since 1982.
History
Early successes
Kuwait's first international match was played in the 1961 Arab Games against Libya, which ended in a 2–2 draw. Kuwait's biggest loss was against the United Arab Republic when they lost 8–0 in the same tournament. Kuwait's national football team joined the World Cup in 1982, which was held in Spain. Kuwait was placed in the fourth group and got fourth place after defeats to England and France and a respectable draw with Czechoslovakia. Kuwait won the Asian Cup in 1980, which was held on its soil. Kuwait won the Final 3–0 against South Korea. Kuwait's historical highest FIFA ranking was 24th place, achieved in December 1998. Bader Al-Mutawa is the most capped player of the Kuwaiti team, and Bashar Abdullah is the top goalscorer in the history of the Kuwait national football team. Kuwait has won the Arabian Gulf Cup ten times, and is the most successful team in winning that competition. Kuwait's most historical manager was Luiz Felipe Scolari, who won the World Cup with Brazil, and was forced to leave the country after the 1990 invasion by Iraq. He led Kuwait to win the 1990 Gulf Cup beating Qatar in The Final.
Kuwait's biggest win was against
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.[5] The ban lasted less than 2 weeks.[6] On 24 October 2008, Kuwait was again suspended by FIFA from all participation in international football, because it failed to hold the General Assembly elections by mid-October.[7] FIFA provisionally lifted its suspension on the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) on 22 December 2008.[8] By the time, while Kuwait remained a formidable force in the Gulf, it has also declined from Asia's relevance, unable to progress from the group stage of the 2011 and 2015 AFC Asian Cups, the team finished last with no point in both tournaments.
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.
On 7 December 2017, it was announced that Kuwait would host the
Revival
During the
In June 2022, despite Kuwait became the host for their third round of 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers group. 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 Kuwait finished as runner-up, losing to India through penalty shootout in the final.
Team image
Home Stadium
The Kuwait National Team has two home stadiums, and they are
Before Jaber Al-Ahmed international stadium was finally built in 2009, Kuwait played in Mohammed Al-Hamed Stadium. When Kuwait hosted the 1980 Asian Cup, the tournament was hosted in
Media coverage
All Kuwait matches are broadcast with full commentary on
Kit
Kuwaits traditional colors are
Kit suppliers
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 |
2014–2016 | Uhlsport |
2017–2022 | Erreà |
2023– | Adidas |
Rivalries
1. Only matches recognized by FIFA. |
Iraq's rivalry with Kuwait was once considered as the Arab world's greatest football rivalry of all-time.
Iraq and Kuwait took their increasingly bitter rivalry to a new level. On 11 June 1976, the two met in the semi-final of the
As Iraq and Kuwait traded Gulf titles in
- Kuwait vs. Saudi Arabia
1. Only matches recognized by FIFA. |
The Kuwait vs. Saudi Arabia football rivalry dates back several decades and is one of the most intense in the Middle East. Both countries have a rich history in football, with Kuwait producing some of the region's finest players, including Khalid Al-Muhairi and Bader Al-Mutwa. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has consistently been among the top teams in Asia, having won three AFC Asian Cups and qualified for five FIFA World Cups. The match between the two sides is always a tightly contested affair, with each team fighting hard to come out on top. While both nations have exchanged victories over time, Kuwait holds the edge over their rivals with more wins under their belt. Nevertheless, this longstanding rivalry continues to produce exciting matches and high levels of interest among fans across the region.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2023
28 March Friendly | Kuwait | 2–1 | Tajikistan | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- UTC+3 | Al-Fadhel 9' Al-Khaldi 61' |
A.Dzhalilov 90' | Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 1,000 Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman) |
12 June 2023 Unofficial Friendly | Kuwait | 3–0 | Zambia | Cairo, Egypt |
--:-- UTC+3 | 51' | Report | Stadium: Cairo International Stadium |
15 June Unofficial Friendly | Kuwait | 2–1 | Sudan | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 UTC+3 | Al-Khaldi 55', 61' |
Stadium: Cairo International Stadium |
21 June 2023 SAFF Championship | Kuwait | 3–1 | Nepal | Bangalore, India |
15:30 UTC+5:30 | Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
24 June 2023 SAFF Championship | Pakistan | 0–4 | Kuwait | Bangalore, India |
15:30 UTC+5:30 | Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
27 June 2023 SAFF Championship | India | 1–1 | Kuwait | Bangalore, India |
19:30 UTC+5:30 | Chhetri 45+2' | Report | A. Ali 90+2' (o.g.) | Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
1 July Bengaluru, India | ||||
15:00 UTC+5:30 |
|
Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium |
4 July 2023 SAFF Championship Final | Kuwait | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | India | Bangalore, India |
19:30 UTC+5:30 | Al-Khaldi 14' | Report | Chhangte 36' | Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium Attendance: 26,380 Referee: Prajwol Chhetri (Nepal) |
Penalties | ||||
|
7 September Friendly | Kuwait | 3–1 | Bahrain | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
19:00 UTC+4 | Al-Khaldi 56', 65' |
Report | Youssef 72' | Stadium: Police Officers' Club Stadium |
11 September Friendly | Kuwait | 1–3 | Kyrgyzstan | Al Lisaili, United Arab Emirates |
20:00 UTC+4 | Report | Stadium: The Sevens Stadium |
12 October Friendly | United Arab Emirates | 1–0 | Kuwait | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
21:00 UTC+4 |
|
Report | Stadium: Al Maktoum Stadium |
17 October Friendly | Syria | 1–2 | Kuwait | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
Al Somah 17' | Report | Al-Khaldi 43', 47' | Stadium: Police Officers' Club Stadium |
16 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Kuwait | 0–1 | India | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
Report |
|
Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Attendance: 32,786 Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia) |
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification | Afghanistan | 0–4 | Kuwait | Dammam, Saudi Arabia |
Report | Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium[note 1] |
2024
21 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Qatar | 3–0 | Kuwait | Doha, Qatar |
--:-- UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium |
26 March 2026 World Cup qualification | Kuwait | 1–2 | Qatar | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: TBA |
6 June 2026 World Cup qualification | India | v | Kuwait | India |
--:-- UTC+5:30 | Report | Stadium: TBA |
11 June 2026 World Cup qualification | Kuwait | v | Afghanistan | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: TBA |
December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup | Kuwait | v | TBA | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- UTC+3 |
December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup | Kuwait | v | TBA | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- UTC+3 |
December 26th Arabian Gulf Cup | TBA | v | Kuwait | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
--:-- |
Coaching staff
Name | Role |
---|---|
Head Coach | Rui Bento |
Assistant Coach | Francisco Gouveia |
Assistant Coach | Vasco Pereira |
Assistant Coach | Filipe Joaquim do Rêgo Meneses |
First Team Coach | Paulo Vieira |
First Team Coach | João Francisco do Pinho Coentro |
Goalkeeper Coach | Tiago Manta |
Fitness Coach | José Vasconcelos |
Physiotherapist | Ricardo Couto |
Team Doctor | João Pedro Pinho |
Technical Director | Diogo Rebelo |
Coaching history
- Ali Othman and Majid Mohammed (1955)
- Ahmed Abu Taha (1957)
- Edmund Majowski (1957–1958)
- Ljubiša Broćić (1962, 1971–1973, 1973–1975)
- Saleh El Wahsh (1964)
- Gyula Grosics (1966)
- Dimitri Tadić (1966–1969)
- Taha El-Doukhi (1970)
- Hassan Nassir (1973)
- Mário Zagallo (1976–1978)
- Saleh Zakaria (1978, 1986, 2006–2007)
- Carlos Alberto Parreira (1978–1982)
- Antônio Lopes (1983–1985)
- Malcolm Allison (1985–1986)
- György Mezey (1986–1987)
- Antônio Vieira (1987–1988)
- George Armstrong (1988)
- Otacílio Gonçalves (1989–1990)
- Luiz Felipe Scolari (1990)
- Mohammed Karam (1990)
- Valmir Louruz (1990–1992)
- Paulo Campos (1992–1993)
- Gildo Rodrigues (1993)
- Jawad Maqseed (1993)
- Valeriy Lobanovskyi (1993–1996)
- Milan Máčala (1996–1999)
- Dušan Uhrin (1999–2001)
- Berti Vogts (2001–2002)
- Radojko Avramović (2002)
- Paulo César Carpegiani (2003–2004)
- Mohammed Ebrahim Hajeyah (2004, 2005, 2008–2009)
- Slobodan Pavković (2005)
- Mihai Stoichiță (2005–2006)
- Rodion Gačanin (2007–2008)
- Goran Tufegdžić (2009–2013)
- Jorvan Vieira (2013–2014)
- Nabil Maâloul (2014–2015)
- Boris Bunjak (2017)
- Radojko Avramović (2018)
- Romeo Jozak (2018–2019)
- Thamer Enad (2019–2020, 2021)
- Andres Carrasco (2020–2021)
- Vítězslav Lavička (2022)
- Rui Bento (2022–)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round between 16 and 21 November 2023.[18]
Caps and goals as of 4 July 2023, after the game against India.
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Kuwait squad within the last 12 months.
Previous squads
- World Cup squads
- Asian Cup squads
- 1972 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 1976 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 1980 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 1984 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 1988 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 1996 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 2000 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 2004 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 2011 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
- 2015 AFC Asian Cup squads – Kuwait
Records
- As of 26 March 2024[19]
- Players in bold are still active with Kuwait.
Most appearances
Rank | Name | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bader Al-Mutawa | 196 | 56 | 2003–2022 |
2 | Waleed Ali | 136 | 8 | 2002–2014 |
3 | Bashar Abdullah | 134 | 75 | 1996–2007 |
4 | Musaed Neda | 125 | 20 | 2002–2015 |
5 | Nawaf Al-Khaldi | 115 | 0 | 2000–2014 |
6 | Jarah Al Ateeqi | 112 | 4 | 2001–2013 |
7 | Nohair Al-Shammari | 109 | 2 | 1996–2009 |
Wael Sulaiman | 109 | 16 | 1986–1996 | |
9 | Jamal Mubarak | 107 | 9 | 1994–2004 |
10 | Yousef Nasser | 106 | 49 | 2009–present |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Name | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bashar Abdullah | 75 | 134 | 0.56 | 1996–2007 |
2 | Jassem Al Houwaidi
|
63 | 83 | 0.76 | 1992–2003 |
3 | Bader Al-Mutawa | 56 | 196 | 0.29 | 2003–2022 |
4 | Yousef Nasser | 49 | 106 | 0.46 | 2009–present |
5 | Jasem Yaqoub | 36 | 49 | 0.73 | 1972–1982 |
6 | Faisal Al-Dakhil | 36 | 67 | 0.54 | 1974–1988 |
7 | Faraj Laheeb | 23 | 45 | 0.51 | 1998–2008 |
8 | Musaed Neda | 20 | 125 | 0.16 | 2002–2015 |
9 | Ahmad Ajab | 17 | 36 | 0.47 | 2005–2013 |
10 | Ali Marwi | 16 | 24 | 0.67 | 1988–1998 |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | |||||
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 [20][21] | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 10 | ||||||||||||
2022 | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 7 | ||||||||||||
2026 | To be determined | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | ||||||||||||
2030 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||
2034 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | First group stage | 1/15 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 105 | 53 | 16 | 36 | 184 | 105 |
AFC Asian Cup
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 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | Best: Champions | 10/19 | 42 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 47 | 51 | 60 | 30 | 16 | 14 | 133 | 57 |
- *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
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 |
Asian Games
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 |
WAFF Championship
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 |
Arabian Gulf Cup
Year | Host Country | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 |
Bahrain | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
1972 |
Saudi Arabia | Champions | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
1974 |
Kuwait | Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
1976 |
Qatar | Champions | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 7 |
1979 |
Iraq | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 |
1982 |
UAE | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
1984 |
Oman | Sixth place | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
1986 |
Bahrain | Champions | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
1988 |
Saudi Arabia | Fifth place | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
1990 |
Kuwait | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
1992 |
Qatar | Fifth place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 |
1994 |
UAE | Fifth place | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
1996 |
Oman | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
1998 |
Bahrain | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 5 |
2002 |
Saudi Arabia | Fourth place | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
2003 |
Kuwait | Sixth place | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
2004 |
Qatar | Fourth place | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 |
2007 |
UAE | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
2009 |
Oman | Semi-finals | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
2010 |
Yemen | Champions | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
2013 |
Bahrain | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
2014 |
Saudi Arabia | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
2017 |
Kuwait | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
2019 |
Qatar | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
2023 | Iraq | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2024 | Kuwait | Qualified | ||||||
2025 |
Oman | Qualified | ||||||
Total | 25/25 | Best: Champions | 115 | 57 | 24 | 34 | 200 | 115 |
Arab Games
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 |
FIFA Arab Cup
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 | |||||||
Total | Best: Third place | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 47 | 43 |
Head-to-head record
The following table shows Kuwait's all-time international record,
Positive Record Neutral Record Negative Record
All friendly and international matches have been approved, except for Olympic matches. A-level matches
Kuwait national football team head-to-head records | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Opponent |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD | ||
Afghanistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | ||
Algeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | ||
Armenia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||
Australia | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 22 | -10 | ||
Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
Bahrain | 50 | 22 | 13 | 15 | 70 | 48 | +22 | ||
Bangladesh | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | ||
Bhutan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | +20 | ||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | ||
Brazil | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | ||
Bulgaria | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | -3 | ||
Cambodia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | ||
Cameroon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | ||
China | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 26 | -10 | ||
Colombia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | ||
Cyprus | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
Czech Republic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | ||
Czechoslovakia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
Ecuador | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | ||
Egypt | 13 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 23 | -13 | ||
England | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | ||
Finland | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | ||
France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -4 | ||
Germany | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | -7 | ||
East Germany | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | ||
Hong Kong | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 4 | +14 | ||
Hungary | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | ||
Iceland | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | ||
India | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 7 | +11 | ||
Indonesia | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 8 | +4 | ||
Iran | 29 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 28 | 36 | -8 | ||
Iraq | 35 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 36 | 48 | -12 | ||
Ivory Coast | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | ||
Japan | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | ||
Jordan | 24 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 30 | 25 | +5 | ||
Kazakhstan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Kenya | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | ||
North Korea | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 20 | 12 | +8 | ||
South Korea | 23 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 20 | 30 | -10 | ||
Kyrgyzstan | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | ||
Laos | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | ||
Latvia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||
Lebanon | 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 50 | 31 | +19 | ||
Libya | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 15 | -3 | ||
Lithuania | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | ||
Macau | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | +17 | ||
Malaysia | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 32 | 8 | +24 | ||
Mali | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | +10 | ||
Mauritania | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||
Mexico | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Mongolia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 | ||
Morocco | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 14 | -9 | ||
Myanmar | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 12 | +6 | ||
Nepal | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 3 | +34 | ||
Niger | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||
New Zealand | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 8 | -1 | ||
Norway | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | ||
Oman | 31 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 47 | 27 | +20 | ||
Pakistan | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | +10 | ||
Palestine | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 7 | +13 | ||
Philippines | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | +7 | ||
Poland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | ||
Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | -8 | ||
Qatar | 41 | 18 | 5 | 17 | 56 | 47 | +9 | ||
Romania | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | ||
Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | ||
Saudi Arabia | 42 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 44 | 44 | 0 | ||
Singapore | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 6 | +14 | ||
Sudan | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | ||
Soviet Union | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | ||
Syria | 34 | 14 | 9 | 11 | 52 | 38 | +14 | ||
Chinese Taipei | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 1 | +20 | ||
Tajikistan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | ||
Thailand | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 29 | 17 | +12 | ||
Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | ||
Turkmenistan | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 | +9 | ||
Uganda | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
United Arab Emirates | 45 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 70 | 49 | +21 | ||
Uganda | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | ||
United States | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | ||
Uzbekistan | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 12 | -3 | ||
Vietnam | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | ||
South Vietnam | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | ||
Wales | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Yemen | 13 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 4 | +21 | ||
South Yemen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | ||
Zambia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | ||
Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | ||
Total | 682 | 285 | 172 | 221 | 1095 | 764 | +331 |
Honours
Continental
Regional
- FIFA Arab Cup
- Arabian Gulf Cup
- 2010
- 1979
- 2002
- West Asian Games
- WAFF Championship
- Arab Games
* The 1992 edition organised as part of the Arab Games, and also counted as
Invitational
- SAFF Championship
- Runners-up (1): 2023
- Focus International Cup
- Merdeka Cup
Notes
- ^ Afghanistan will play their home game at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.
References
- ^ "FIFA Century Club des Cent del la FIFA Club de los Cien de la FIFA" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2015.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Asia's greatest national teams: Kuwait (1980s) | Football News | Asian Qualifiers 2022". the-AFC. Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2020-06-09.
- Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the originalon 7 May 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
- ^ "FIFA lifts suspension on Kuwait". FIFA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
- ^ "FIFA suspends Kuwait Football Federation". The-AFC.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ^ "FIFA provisionally lifted its suspension on the Kuwait Football Association (KFA)". The-AFC.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
- ^ "Suspension of the Kuwait Football Association". FIFA. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ "FIFA Congress drives football forward, first female secretary general appointed". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Suspension of the Kuwait Football Association lifted". FIFA.com. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - November 2017". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ "FIFA lifts suspension on Kuwait's football association - Kuwait,Europe - ArabianBusiness.com". Archived from the original on 2017-12-06.
- ^ "Iraq - Record against..." worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ a b c d "Storied Gulf Cup rivalry between Iraq and Kuwait survives war". Archived from the original on 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
- ^ "Storied Gulf Cup rivalry between Iraq and Kuwait survives war". The National. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-08-20. Retrieved 2021-08-29.
- ^ "Kuwait - Record against Saudi Arabia". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ "26 لاعبا في قائمة الكويت استعدادا لمواجهتي الهند وأفغانستان". kooora.com (in Arabic). koora. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
- ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Kuwait - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
- ^ "Kuwait sanctioned after unplayed FIFA World Cup qualifier". FIFA. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ "FIFA sanctions several football associations after discriminatory chants by fans" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ^ "Kuwait - Record against". 1 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
External links
- Official website – Kuwait Football Association
- Kuwait at AFC
- Kuwait at FIFA
- Official fans' forum site Archived 27 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine