Kuwait
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Al-Azraq (The Blue)
(The Blue Wave)
AssociationKuwait Football Association
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationWAFF (West Asia)
Head coachRui Bento
CaptainFahad Al Hajeri
Most capsBader Al-Mutawa (196)[1]
Top scorerBashar Abdullah (75)
Home stadiumJaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
FIFA codeKUW
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 136 Steady (21 December 2023)[2]
Highest24 (December 1998)
Lowest189 (December 2017)
First international
 Kuwait 2–2 Libya 
(Morocco; 3 September 1961)
Biggest win
 Kuwait 20–0 Bhutan 
(Kuwait City, Kuwait; 14 February 2000)
Biggest defeat
 United Arab Republic 8–0 Kuwait 
(Morocco; 4 September 1961)
 Portugal 8–0 Kuwait 
(Leiria, Portugal; 19 November 2003)
World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 1982)
Best resultGroup stage (1982)
Asian Cup
Appearances10 (first in 1972)
Best resultChampions (1980)
Arab Cup
Appearances8 (first in 1963)
Best resultThird place (1964, 1992, 1998)
WAFF Championship
Appearances4 (first in 2010)
Best resultChampions (2010)
Arabian Gulf Cup
Appearances25 (first in 1970)
Best resultChampions (1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2010)

The Kuwait national football team (Arabic: منتخب الكويت لكرة القدم) is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. Kuwait made one World Cup finals appearance, in 1982, managing one point in the group stages. In the Asian Cup, Kuwait reached the final in 1976 and won the tournament in 1980.[3]

Kuwait's 20–0 win over Bhutan in 2000 was, at the time, the biggest-ever victory in international football. It was surpassed in 2001, when Australia defeated American Samoa 31–0.

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 Bhutan, which ended in a thrilling 20–0 win, which was the biggest win until Australia won 31–0 against American Samoa in 2001. Kuwait's most successful years were between 1970 and 1990 which had players like Jasem Yaqoub, Faisal Al-Dakhil, and Saad Al-Houti.

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.[4] The ban lasted less than 2 weeks.[5] 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.[6] FIFA provisionally lifted its suspension on the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) on 22 December 2008.[7] 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.[8] Kuwait tried to get the suspension lifted at the 66th FIFA Congress but this was rejected. Therefore from the earlier announcement on 27 April 2016, the hosting of the Gulf Cup tournament would also be moved to Qatar.[9] The suspension was eventually lifted on 6 December 2017, after Kuwait adopted a new sports law. 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.[10][11][12]

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, all withdrew when the tournament was previously set to be hosted by Qatar because of the Qatari diplomatic crisis, so it was moved to Kuwait to please all withdrawn parties to participate.

Revival

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, Kuwait, which only started to rebuild its team following years of suspensions and instabilities, was drawn in group B alongside old foes Australia and Jordan, outside minnows Nepal and Chinese Taipei. Although Kuwait has better head-to-head records against Australia in major tournaments, suspensions and inactivities proved detrimental as the team lost 0–3 twice. Still, the qualifiers stood out as the best qualification for Kuwait since 2006, where Kuwait impressed by finishing second, though being unable to progress to the third round.

Team image

Home Stadium

Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium

The Kuwait National Team has two home stadiums, and they are Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium. Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium was built in 2009, and Kuwait celebrated winning the 20th Gulf Cup in that stadium; while Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium is for the Kuwaiti club Kazma SC and was the Kuwait national team home. Following the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification-AFC second round, playing against the Philippines on 23 July 2011, this was the last time Mohammed Al-Hamed Stadium was Kuwait's Home stadium. On 16 May 2012, Kuwait played against the 2011–12 La Liga Champions Real Madrid in Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, the home ground of Kuwaiti club Kuwait SC, which Real Madrid won 2–0. Kuwait played their entire 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification-AFC third round in Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium, beating the United Arab Emirates 2–1, drawing with South Korea 1–1 and losing to Lebanon 1–0.

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 Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, which has a capacity of 22,000 spectators and was the largest stadium in Kuwait at that time, and Kuwait won their first and only Asian Cup of all time in that stadium. When Kuwait hosted the 1974 Gulf Cup, it was the first time Kuwait had hosted a Gulf Cup competition, and all the matches were played in Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium. Kuwait were champions of that competition for the first time in their history on home soil, and the third time in a row overall. In 1990, Kuwait hosted the 1990 Gulf Cup for the second time in its history and were crowned Champions of that competition. All of the games were played at Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium. In the 2003 Gulf Cup, Kuwait hosted the competition for the third time, and once again, all the matches were played in one stadium, the Al-Sadaqua Walsalam Stadium. However, Kuwait lost the competition. In the 2017 Gulf Cup, Kuwait hosted the tournament for the fourth time. All the matches were played in two stadiums, the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium. However, Kuwait was eliminated from the group stage after losing to Saudi Arabia and Oman and drawing with the United Arab Emirates.

Media coverage

All Kuwait matches are broadcast with full commentary on Kuwait TV Sport. These matches are live and exclusive. beIN Sports broadcast Kuwait matches live and exclusive. So broadcast exclusively on 3 different channels, which is not exclusive. Dubai Sports broadcast Kuwait matches only in special events like the Gulf Cup, Asian Cup and others.

Kit

Kuwaits traditional colors are blue and white: The blue kits are their home ones and the whites for matches away. The blue sea and sky are important in Kuwait because it shows the connection of the people to pearl hunting as well as the spaciousness of the universe. Kuwait's official kit provider is currently the sports company Errea and will be Adidas from 2023 onwards. Kuwait wore the blue shirts in the 1980 AFC Asian Cup and the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Kit suppliers

Period Kit Provider
1980–1991 Germany Puma
1992–1997 Thailand Grand Sport
1997–2001 Spain Kelme
2001–2002 United Kingdom Umbro
2003–2008 Germany Saller
2009–2011 Switzerland Burrda
2012–2013 Italy Kappa
2014–2016 Germany Uhlsport
2017–2022 Italy Erreà
2023– Germany Adidas

Rivalries

Kuwait vs. Iraq
Statistics vs.  Iraq[13]
Played1 Wins2 Draws Losses GF GA
3589173448

1. Only matches recognized by FIFA.
2. Wins for Kuwait.

Iraq's rivalry with Kuwait was once considered as the Arab world's greatest football rivalry of all-time.[14][15] 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 complete 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).[14]

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 Asian Cup in Tehran; Kuwait took the lead twice, Iraq came roaring back twice, And then, 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 quarter-finals 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.[14]

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, football would never be the same again. Iraq and Kuwait were in complete avoidance and never met for more than a decade. Kuwait's Blues had a relative recovery of sorts, winning the Gulf Cup in 1996 and 1998, before securing their record 10th title in 2010. Iraqi football, because of Uday Hussein's reign as head of the football association, would take far longer to recover. When it did, it was in glorious fashion, the Lions of Mesopotamia winning the 2007 Asian Cup.[14]

Kuwait vs. Saudi Arabia
Statistics vs.  Saudi Arabia[16]
Played1 Wins2 Draws Losses GF GA
421513154444

1. Only matches recognized by FIFA.
2. Wins for Kuwait.

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

24 March 2023 Friendly Kuwait  2–0  Philippines Kuwait City, Kuwait
22:00 UTC+3
  • Bader Al Fadhel 71'
  • Ali Khalaf 87'
 Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Referee: Shukri Al-Hunfoush (Saudi Arabia)
28 March 2023 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 Al-Khaldi 16', 59'
El Ebrahim 51'		 Report Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
15 June 2023 Unofficial Friendly Kuwait  2–1  Sudan Cairo, Egypt
20:00 UTC+3 Al-Khaldi 55', 61' Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
21 June 2023 2023 SAFF Championship Kuwait  3–1    Nepal Bangalore, India
15:30 UTC+5:30 Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
27 June 2023 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 2023 (2023-07-01) 2023 SAFF Championship Semi-finals Kuwait  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Bangladesh Bengaluru, India
15:00 UTC+5:30
  • Al-Buloushi 105+2'
 Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
4 July 2023 (2023-07-04) 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 2023 (2023-09-07) Friendly Kuwait  3–1  Bahrain Dubai, United Arab Emirates
19:00 UTC+4 Al-Dhefiri 4'
Al-Khaldi 56', 65'		 Report Youssef 72' Stadium: Police Officers' Club Stadium
11 September 2023 (2023-09-11) Friendly Kuwait  1–3  Kyrgyzstan Al Lisaili, United Arab Emirates
20:00 UTC+4 Report Stadium: The Sevens Stadium
12 October 2023 Friendly United Arab Emirates  1–0  Kuwait Dubai, United Arab Emirates
21:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: Al Maktoum Stadium
17 October 2023 Friendly Syria  1–2  Kuwait Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Al Somah 17' Report Al-Khaldi 43', 47' Stadium: Police Officers' Club Stadium
16 November 2023 (2023-11-16) 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Kuwait  0–1  India Kuwait City, Kuwait
Report
Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium
Attendance: 32,786
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)
21 November 2023 (2023-11-21) 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Afghanistan  0–4  Kuwait Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Report Stadium: Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium[note 1]

2024

12 January 2024 Friendly Libya  3–1  Kuwait Cairo, Egypt
--:-- UTC+3 Stadium: Cairo International Stadium
19 January 2024 Friendly Kuwait  v  Uganda Cairo, Egypt
--:-- UTC+3 Stadium: TBA
21 March 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Qatar  v  Kuwait Doha, Qatar
--:-- UTC+3 Report Stadium: TBA
26 March 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ Kuwait  v  Qatar Kuwait City, Kuwait
--:-- UTC+3 Report Stadium: TBA
6 June 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ India  v  Kuwait India
--:-- UTC+5:30 Report Stadium: TBA
11 June 2026 WCQ / 2027 ACQ 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

NameRole
Head Coach Portugal Rui Bento
Assistant Coach Portugal Francisco Gouveia
Assistant Coach Portugal Vasco Pereira
Assistant Coach Portugal Filipe Joaquim do Rêgo Meneses
First Team Coach Portugal Paulo Vieira
First Team Coach Portugal João Francisco do Pinho Coentro
Goalkeeper Coach Portugal Tiago Manta
Fitness Coach Portugal José Vasconcelos
Physiotherapist Portugal Ricardo Couto
Team Doctor Portugal João Pedro Pinho
Technical Director Portugal Diogo Rebelo

Coaching history

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.[17]

Caps and goals as of 4 July 2023, after the game against India.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
22 1GK Sulaiman Abdulghafour (1991-02-26)26 February 1991 (aged 31) 36 0 Kuwait Al-Arabi
1GK Abdulrahman Kameel (2001-03-08) 8 March 2001 5 0 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
1GK Bader Al-Saanoun (1996-11-24) 24 November 1996 3 0 Kuwait Al-Jahra
2DF Fahad Al Hajeri (captain) (1991-11-10) 10 November 1991 62 5 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
2DF Hamad Al-Qallaf (1999-12-04) 4 December 1999 23 0 Kuwait Al-Arabi
2DF Khalid El Ebrahim (1992-08-28) 28 August 1992 21 3 Kuwait Al-Qadsia
2DF Mahdi Dashti (2001-10-26) 26 October 2001 12 0 Kuwait Al-Salmiya
2DF Ali Abdel Al-Rasoul (1999-01-13) 13 January 1999 1 0 Kuwait Al-Arabi
2DF Abdullah Al Buloushi (1996-05-08) 8 May 1996 6 1 Kuwait Al-Arabi
3MF Sultan Al Enezi (1992-09-29) 29 September 1992 39 0 Kuwait Al-Arabi
3MF Ahmed Al-Dhefiri (1992-01-09) 9 January 1992 37 2 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
3MF Hamad Al Harbi (1992-07-25) 25 July 1992 27 1 Kuwait Kazma
3MF Fawaz Ayedh (1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 23 1 Kuwait Al-Salmiya
3MF Redha Hani (1996-04-22) 22 April 1996 23 1 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
3MF Abdullah Al Fahed (1997-02-12) 12 February 1997 6 0 Kuwait Kazma
4FW Faisal Zayid (1991-10-09) 9 October 1991 45 6 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
4FW Mobarak Al-Faneeni (2000-01-21) 21 January 2000 33 5 Kuwait Al-Qadsia
4FW Eid Al Rashidi (1999-05-25) 25 May 1999 29 2 Kuwait Al-Qadsia
4FW Shabaib Al-Khaldi (1998-08-11) 11 August 1998 26 9 United Arab Emirates Hatta
3MF Ali Khalaf (1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 11 2 Kuwait Al-Arabi
4FW Ahmad Zanki (1995-12-17) 17 December 1995 9 1 Kuwait Al-Kuwait
3MF Bader Al-Fadhel (1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 6 3 Kuwait Al-Arabi
4FW Salman Al-Awadhi (2001-05-21) 21 May 2001 7 0 Kuwait Al-Arabi

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Kuwait squad within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Rashed Al-Dosary (2000-07-18) 18 July 2000 11 0 Kuwait Al-Qadsia v.  Tajikistan, 28 March 2023
DF Mohammed Al-Nassar (1996-05-24) 24 May 1996 3 0 Kuwait Kazma v.  Tajikistan, 28 March 2023
FW Bader Al-Fadhel (1997-04-22) 22 April 1997 4 1 Kuwait Al-Arabi v.  Tajikistan, 28 March 2023

Previous squads

World Cup squads
Asian Cup squads

Records

As of 14 June 2022[18]
Players in bold are still active with Kuwait.

Most appearances

Bader Al-Mutawa is Kuwait's most capped player with 196 appearances.
Rank Name Caps Goals Career
1 Bader Al-Mutawa 196 56 2003–present
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 105 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–present
4 Yousef Nasser 49 105 0.47 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 GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 to Mexico 1970Did not enter Did not enter
West Germany 1974Did not qualify 611448
Argentina 1978 128132310
Spain 1982Round 121st301226 9711206
Mexico 1986Did not qualify 421182
Italy 1990 430163
United States 1994 6321214
France 1998 12624179
South Korea Japan 2002 641193
Germany 2006 126151915
South Africa 2010 6114812
Brazil 2014 84221310
Russia 2018Disqualified due to FIFA suspension [19][20] 83141210
Qatar 2022Did not qualify 8422197
Canada Mexico United States 2026to be determined 100101
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 to be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
TotalBest: Round 11/22301226 102521634189100

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
Hong Kong 1956Not a AFC member Not a AFC member
South Korea 1960
Israel 1964
Iran 1968Withdrew Withdrew
Thailand 1972Group stage5th210125 522164
Iran 1976Runners-up 2nd430163 Qualified by default
Kuwait 1980 Champions 1st 6 4 1 1 13 6 Qualified as hosts
Singapore 1984Third place3rd631254 Qualified as defending champions
Qatar 1988Group stage7th403123 431090
Japan 1992Did not qualify 210143
United Arab Emirates 1996Fourth place4th621396 422095
Lebanon 2000Quarter-finals6th412133 4400331
China 2004Group stage10th310237 6510175
Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Vietnam 2007Did not qualify 411234
Qatar 2011 Group stage 14th 3 0 0 3 1 7 6 2 3 1 6 5
Australia 2015 15th 3 0 0 3 1 6 6 2 3 1 10 7
United Arab Emirates 2019Disqualified due to FIFA suspension 83141210
Qatar 2023Did not qualify 115242413
Saudi Arabia 2027To be determined To be determined
TotalBest: Champions10/19421510184551 6030161413357
*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
France 1900 to Australia 1956Did not enter
Italy 1960 to Canada 1976Did not qualify
Soviet Union 1980Quarter-finals412154
United States 1984 to South Korea 1988Did not qualify
1992–present See Kuwait national under-23 football team
TotalBest: Quarter-finals412154

Asian Games

Asian Games record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
India 1951 to Thailand 1970Did not enter
Iran 19746th place5302128
Thailand 19785th place6312138
India 1982Runners-up6501135
South Korea 1986Third place7520203
China 19907th place411234
Japan 1994Third place6411156
Thailand 1998Runners-up8323238
2002–present See Kuwait national under-23 football team
Total7/1342247119942

WAFF Championship

West Asian Football Federation Championship record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA GD
Jordan 2000Did not participate
Syria 2002
Iran 2004
Jordan 2007
Iran 2008
Jordan 2010Champions422075+2
Kuwait 2012Group stage3201440
Qatar 2014Fourth place411235–2
Iraq 2019Group stage3111330
United Arab Emirates 2023Qualified
Total4/91264417170

Arabian Gulf Cup

YearHost CountryResult Pld W D L GF GA
1970 BahrainChampions3300104
1972 Saudi ArabiaChampions3210142
1974 KuwaitChampions4400160
1976 QatarChampions7520267
1979 IraqRunners-up6411154
1982 UAEChampions540182
1984 OmanSixth place612348
1986 BahrainChampions6510114
1988 Saudi ArabiaFifth place612334
1990 KuwaitChampions4310102
1992 QatarFifth place520358
1994 UAEFifth place511326
1996 OmanChampions540174
1998 BahrainChampions5401185
2002 Saudi ArabiaFourth place512246
2003 KuwaitSixth place612369
2004 QatarFourth place521277
2007 UAEGroup stage301246
2009 OmanSemi-finals412122
2010 YemenChampions532072
2013 BahrainThird place530293
2014 Saudi ArabiaGroup stage311137
2017 KuwaitGroup stage301213
2019 QatarGroup stage310267
2023 IraqGroup stage311123
2024 KuwaitQualified
2025 OmanQualified
Total25/25Best: Champions115572434200115

Arab Games

Arab Games record
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
1953–1957Did not enter
Morocco 19616th5014318
1965–1985Did not enter
Lebanon 1997Fourth place520389
1999–2007Did not enter
Qatar 2011Third place430172
Total3/10145181829

FIFA Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Lebanon 1963Fourth place4103515
Kuwait 1964Third place411255
Iraq 1966Group stage402281
Saudi Arabia 1985Did not enter
Jordan 1988Group stage411223
Syria 1992Third place420265
Qatar 1998Third place4301134
Kuwait 2002Group stage412166
Saudi Arabia 2012Group stage210124
Qatar 2021Did not qualify
TotalBest: Third place30106144743

Head-to-head record

The following table shows Kuwait's all-time international record,

As of 12 January 2024 after match against  Libya[21]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

Opponent
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Afghanistan220072+5
 Algeria110020+2
 Armenia110031+2
 Australia145271222-10
 Azerbaijan2020220
 Bahrain502213157048+22
 Bangladesh330071+6
 Bhutan1100200+20
 Bosnia and Herzegovina100101-1
 Brazil100104-4
 Bulgaria503269-3
 Cambodia100104-4
 Cameroon100113-2
 China195591626-10
 Colombia100113-2
 Cyprus1010110
 Czech Republic200219-8
 Czechoslovakia1010110
 Ecuador100103-3
 Egypt131751023-13
 England100101-1
 Finland722356-1
 France200215-4
 Germany100107-7
 East Germany200224-2
 Hong Kong7610184+14
 Hungary100101-1
 Iceland714234-1
 India6222197+11
 Indonesia7232128+4
 Iran2978132735-8
 Iraq35810173448-14
 Ivory Coast100102-2
 Japan540182+6
 Jordan2481163025+5
 Kazakhstan1010000
 Kenya110050+5
 North Korea146712012+8
 South Korea2383122030-10
 Kyrgyzstan5311115+6
 Laos110020+2
 Latvia211031+2
 Lebanon31151065031+19
 Libya93331215-3
 Lithuania211021+1
 Macau2200181+17
 Malaysia13922328+24
 Mali3300144+10
 Mauritania110031+2
 Mexico1010000
 Mongolia1100110+11
 Morocco6024514-9
 Myanmar63031812+6
   Nepal10910373+34
 Niger110031+2
 New Zealand421178-1
 Norway312043+1
 Oman31121094727+20
 Pakistan4400100+10
 Palestine9711207+13
 Philippines440092+7
 Poland201113-2
 Portugal201119-8
 Qatar39185155542+13
 Romania201112-1
 Russia200203-3
 Saudi Arabia4215121544440
 Singapore10721206+14
 Sudan230031+2
 Soviet Union100101-1
 Syria34149115238+14
 Chinese Taipei3300211+20
 Tajikistan220051+4
 Thailand117042917+12
 Trinidad and Tobago1010110
 Tunisia300328-6
 Turkmenistan5320134+9
 Uganda1010110
 United Arab Emirates45188177049+21
 United States100102-2
 Uzbekistan6213912-3
 Vietnam210132+1
 South Vietnam110021+1
 Wales2020000
 Yemen13740254+21
 South Yemen110051+4
 Zambia330091+8
 Zimbabwe110030+3

Honours

Continental

Regional

* The 1992 edition organised as part of the Arab Games, and also counted as Arab Cup.

Invitational

Notes

  1. ↑ Afghanistan will play their home game at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "FIFA suspends Kuwait Football Federation". London: Guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  5. ↑ "FIFA lifts suspension on Kuwait". FIFA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved 9 November 2007.
  6. ↑ "FIFA suspends Kuwait Football Federation". The-AFC.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2008. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Suspension of the Kuwait Football Association". FIFA. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "FIFA Congress drives football forward, first female secretary general appointed". FIFA. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Suspension of the Kuwait Football Association lifted". FIFA.com. 6 December 2017. Archived from the original on December 7, 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking - November 2017". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "FIFA lifts suspension on Kuwait's football association - Kuwait,Europe - ArabianBusiness.com". Archived from the original on 2017-12-06.
  13. ↑ "Iraq - Record against..." worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Storied Gulf Cup rivalry between Iraq and Kuwait survives war". Archived from the original on 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "Kuwait - Record against Saudi Arabia". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 2023-01-11. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
  17. ↑ "26 لاعبا في قائمة الكويت استعدادا لمواجهتي الهند وأفغانستان". kooora.com (in Arabic). koora. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Kuwait - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-02-03.
  19. ↑ "Kuwait sanctioned after unplayed FIFA World Cup™ qualifier". FIFA. 13 January 2016. Archived from the original on January 14, 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "Kuwait - Record against". 1 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
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