AFC Asian Cup
The heydays of 1980 where Kuwait were crowned champions after a 3-0 win against Korea Republic seem like a distant past but there’s hope within the camp that this qualification is the first step towards rediscovering their place at the top tier of Asian football.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 134
Previous appearances: 10
First appearance: 1972
Best finish: Champions (1980)
2023 result: Did not qualify
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group A runners-up
Group A fixtures - Jan 8 v Oman, Jan 12 v Palestine, Jan 17 v Saudi Arabia
Fun fact: Their 3-0 victory over Korea Republic in the 1980 final came after losing by the same score to the East Asian in their group stage meeting, representing the biggest swing between consecutive encounters in competition history.
FIFA Ranking: 134
Previous appearances: 10
First appearance: 1972
Best finish: Champions (1980)
2023 result: Did not qualify
How they qualified: Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2 Group A runners-up
Group A fixtures - Jan 8 v Oman, Jan 12 v Palestine, Jan 17 v Saudi Arabia
Fun fact: Their 3-0 victory over Korea Republic in the 1980 final came after losing by the same score to the East Asian in their group stage meeting, representing the biggest swing between consecutive encounters in competition history.
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Kuwait’s first taste of the AFC Asian Cup action began in 1972 in Thailand where they finished a commendable fifth, before making it all the way to the final four years later where they lost narrowly to hosts Islamic Republic of Iran.
The pinnacle came in the 1980 edition on home soil, advancing to the next stage as the Group B runners-up behind Korea Republic.
Revenge was exacted on Iran with a 2-1 win in the semi-final before Kuwait faced Korea Republic again in the final but this time the roles were reversed as the West Asian side emerged triumphant with a 3-0 scoreline.
The pinnacle came in the 1980 edition on home soil, advancing to the next stage as the Group B runners-up behind Korea Republic.
Revenge was exacted on Iran with a 2-1 win in the semi-final before Kuwait faced Korea Republic again in the final but this time the roles were reversed as the West Asian side emerged triumphant with a 3-0 scoreline.
Third-placed in the 1984 edition in Singapore, Kuwait had to endure a tough time as they only qualified for six of the next 10 tournaments with four of those participations ending in the group stage.
Qualification for Saudi Arabia 2027 wasn’t plain sailing, especially after a 1-0 defeat to India in their opening match, but Kuwait recovered with Eid Al Rashedi’s late goal earning them a 1-0 win against Afghanistan to seal their spot.
Qualification for Saudi Arabia 2027 wasn’t plain sailing, especially after a 1-0 defeat to India in their opening match, but Kuwait recovered with Eid Al Rashedi’s late goal earning them a 1-0 win against Afghanistan to seal their spot.
Much will depend on the attacking strengths of Mohammad Daham (pictured above) and Al Rashedi if Kuwait are to make it to the Round of 16 in a difficult all-West Group A and experienced head coach Helio Sousa knows that a good result in their opener against Oman on January 8 is a must.
