Kuwait national football team

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Kuwait
Nickname(s)	Al Azraq
Association	Kuwait Football Association
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Head coach	Mohammed Ibrahem
Most caps	Bashar Abdullah (134)
Top scorer	Bashar Abdullah (75)
Home stadium	Kuwait National Stadium
FIFA code	KUW
FIFA ranking	114
Highest FIFA ranking	24 (December 1998)
Lowest FIFA ranking	121 (November 07, February & March 08)
Elo ranking	100
Highest Elo ranking	26 (December 1998)
First kit 　 Second kit
First international
Kuwait 2 - 2 Libya (Morocco; September 3, 1961)
Biggest win
Kuwait 20 - 0 Bhutan (Kuwait City, Kuwait; February 14, 2000)
Biggest defeat
Egypt 8 - 0 Kuwait (Morocco; September 4, 1961) Portugal 8 - 0 Kuwait (Leiria, Portugal; November 19, 2003)
World Cup
Appearances	1 (First in 1982)
Best result	Round 1, 1982
AFC Asian Cup
Appearances	8 (First in 1972)
Best result	Winners, 1980

The Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal while some of the Kuwaiti players had stopped, having heard a whistle. The goal was initially awarded by the referee, who had not blown, but Kuwait walked off the pitch in protest. They eventually resumed playing only after the intervention of Sheikh Fahad Al Ahmed and the referee's changing his mind to disallow the French goal.

They have better success contending for the Asian Cup, reaching the finals in 1976 and taking home the winner's trophy in 1980.

Kuwait's 20-0 win over Bhutan in 2000 was at the time the biggest ever win in international football. It was surpassed in 2001, when Australia beat Tonga 22-0. Also in 2000, Kuwait took part at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Radion Gacanin has agreed to coach the Kuwaiti national team in addition to his club side, Al Kuwait, according to the Asian Football Confederation. The Croatian, who was appointed head coach of the nine-times Kuwaiti league champions in May, will take charge of the national team for upcoming Asian qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the AFC said on its website.

His first match in charge was a friendly against Lebanon which ended with a 3-2 victory. Kuwait also played three more friendlies against Côte d'Ivoire and Singapore, they lost both matches by 0-2. They played against Oman and drew 1-1 thanks to a 93rd minute goal by Ahmad Ajab.

Kuwait, who last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 1982, have been drawn with Iran, Syria and the United Arab Emirates in Group Five.

[edit] History

[edit] Temporary Suspension

In October 30 2007, Kuwait was suspended by FIFA from all participation in international football, on the grounds of governmental interference in the national football association.^[1] The ban lasted less than 2 weeks.^[2]

[edit] 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Additional information: 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification - AFC Third Round

Kuwait are in the same FIFA World Cup qualifying group as Iran, Syria and United Arab Emirates. They will play home and away against each of the other three teams in the group 5.

[edit] Group 5

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts  Iran 4 1 3 0 3 2 +1 6  United Arab Emirates 4 1 2 1 3 2 +1 5  Syria 4 1 2 1 4 5 -1 5  Kuwait 4 1 1 2 6 7 -1 4

Iran  22 Jun 0-0 0-0 Kuwait  2-2 4-2 14 Jun Syria  14 Jun 1-0 1-1 United Arab Emirates  0-1 2-0 22 Jun

[edit] World Cup record

World Cup record Year Round GP W D L GS GA 1930 to 1970 Did not enter - - - - - - 1974 Did not qualify - - - - - - 1978 Did not qualify - - - - - - 1982 Round 1 3 0 1 2 2 6 1986 to 2006 Did not qualify - - - - - - 2010 Qualifications on-going - - - - - - Total 1/18 3 0 1 2 2 6

World Cup History Year Round Score Result 1982 Round 1  Kuwait 1 – 1  Czechoslovakia Draw Round 1  Kuwait 1 – 4  France Lose Round 1  Kuwait 0 – 1  England Lose

[edit] Asian Cup record

AFC Asian Cup record
Year	Round	GP	W	D*	L	GS	GA
1956	Did Not Enter	-	-	-	-	-	-
1960	Did Not Enter	-	-	-	-	-	-
1964	Did Not Enter	-	-	-	-	-	-
1968	Did Not Enter	-	-	-	-	-	-
1972	Round 1	2	1	0	1	2	5
1976	Runners-Up	4	3	0	1	6	3
1980	Champions	6	4	1	1	13	6
1984	Third Place	6	3	1	2	5	4
1988	Round 1	4	0	3	1	2	3
1992	Did not qualify	-	-	-	-	-	-
1996	Fourth place	6	2	1	3	9	6
2000	Quarterfinals	4	1	2	1	3	3
2004	Round 1	3	1	0	2	3	7
2007	Did Not Qualify	-	-	-	-	-	-
Total	8/14	35	15	8	12	43	37

*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

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

[edit] Results and Fixtures 2008

[edit] Last matches

•  Kuwait 3:2(0:2) Lebanon , Friendly, Kuwait City, Kuwait, 2 January 2008
•  Kuwait 0:2(0:2) Côte d'Ivoire , Friendly, Kuwait City, Kuwait, 12 January 2008
•  Bahrain 1:0(0:0) Kuwait , Friendly, Manama, Bahrain, 16 January 2008
•  Kuwait 0:2(0:0) Singapore , Friendly, Muscat, Oman, 24 January 2008
•  Oman 1:1(1:0) Kuwait , Friendly, Muscat, Oman, 30 January 2008
•  United Arab Emirates 2:0(1:0) Kuwait , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Abu Dhabi, UAE, 7 February 2008
•  Kuwait 0:0 Iraq , Friendly, Kuwait City, Kuwait, 21 March 2008
•  Kuwait 2:2(1:2) Iran , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Kuwait City, Kuwait, 26 March 2008
•  Qatar 1:1(1:1) Kuwait , Friendly, Doha, Qatar, 23 May 2008
•  Saudi Arabia 2:1(0:0) Kuwait , Friendly, Saudi Arabia, 26 May 2008
•  Syria 1:0(0:0) Kuwait , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Damascus, Syria, 2 June 2008
•  Kuwait 4:2(2:2) Syria , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Kuwait City, Kuwait, 8 June 2008

[edit] Next matches

•  Kuwait - United Arab Emirates , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Kuwait City, Kuwait, 14 June 2008
•  Iran - Kuwait , FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC), Tehran, Iran, 22 June 2008
•  Netherlands -  Kuwait, Friendly, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 6 September 2008

[edit] Coaches

Coaches by Years (1955-2008)

[edit] Players

[edit] Most capped Kuwaiti players

As of March 31, 2008, the four players with the most caps for Kuwait are:

[edit] Famous Players

• Jasem Yacob
• Fathi Kamel
• Ahmed Al-Tarabilsi
• Abdulaziz Al Anberi
• Bader Haji
• Wail Sulaiman Al-Habashi
• Abdullah Wabran
• Fasil Al Dikel
• Abdullah Al-Buloushi
• Bashar Abdallah
• Jassem Al Houwaidi
• Bader Al-Mutwa

[edit] Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification in June, 2008.

Name	DOB	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Goalkeepers
Khaled Al Fadhli	May 15, 1974 (age 34)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Nawaf Al Khaldi	May 25, 1981 (age 27)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Shehab Kankoune	April 28, 1981 (age 27)	Kazma	N/A	N/A
Defenders
Ali Maqseed	December 11, 1986 (age 21)	Al Arabi	N/A	N/A
Ahmad Al Eidan	October 1, 1982 (age 25)	Al-Salmiya	N/A	N/A
Yousef Al Youha	September 2, 1979 (age 28)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Yacoub Al Taher	October 27, 1983 (age 24)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Fayez Bandar	December 7, 1983 (age 24)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Hussain Hakem	June 26, 1984 (age 23)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Musaed Neda	July 8, 1983 (age 24)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Mohammed Rashed	July 1, 1987 (age 20)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Khaled Al Shammari	January 2, 1977 (age 31)	Kazma	N/A	N/A
Midfielders
Saleh Al Sheikh	May 29, 1982 (age 26)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Mohamed Jarragh	November 10, 1981 (age 26)	Al Arabi	N/A	N/A
Abdulrahman Mussa	December 4, 1981 (age 26)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Jarah Al Ataiqi	October 15, 1981 (age 25)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Ebraheem Shehab	January 20, 1986 (age 22)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Waleed Ali Jumah	November 3, 1980 (age 27)	Al-Kuwait	N/A	N/A
Strikers
Bader Al Mutwa	January 10, 1985 (age 23)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A
Ahmad Ajab	May 13, 1984 (age 24)	Al-Qadisiya	12(10)	v Uzbekistan, 17 August 2005
Fahad Al Rashidi	December 31, 1984 (age 23)	Al Hazm	N/A	N/A
Khaled Khalaf	August 15, 1983 (age 24)	Al Arabi	N/A	N/A
Fahad Al Fahad	December 1, 1983 (age 24)	Kazma Sporting Club	N/A	N/A
Khalaf Salama	July 25, 1979 (age 28)	Al-Qadisiya	N/A	N/A

[edit] Previous squads

• 2004 AFC Asian Cup squads - Kuwait
• 2000 AFC Asian Cup squads - Kuwait
• 1996 AFC Asian Cup squads - Kuwait
• 1982 FIFA World Cup squads - Kuwait

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official fan site

[edit] Titles

v • d • e Kuwait squad - 1982 FIFA World Cup 1 Al‑Tarabilsi • 2 N. Mubarak • 3 M. Mubarak • 4 Al‑Qabendi • 5 W. Mubarak • 6 Al‑Houti • 7 Kamel • 8 Al‑Buloushi • 9 Yacob • 10 Al‑Anberi • 11 Al‑Ghanim • 12 Al‑Suwayed • 13 Marzouq • 14 Mayouf • 15 Al‑Hashash • 16 Al‑Dakhil • 17 Al‑Shemmari • 18 Karam • 19 Rahyam Aliyan • 20 Al‑Buloushi • 21 Marjam • 22 Bahman • Coach: Parreira

Preceded by 1976 Iran

Asian Champions 1980 (First title)

Succeeded by 1984 Saudi Arabia

AFC Asian Cup Winners v • d • e
3 titles :  Iran (1968, 1972, 1976)  Japan (1992, 2000, 2004)  Saudi Arabia (1984, 1988, 1996) 2 titles :  Korea Republic (1956, 1960) 1 title :  Iraq (2007)  Israel (1964)  Kuwait (1980)
Gulf Cup of Nations Winners v • d • e
9 titles :  Kuwait (1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996, 1998) 3 titles :  Iraq (1979, 1984, 1988)  Saudi Arabia (1994, 2002, 2003) 2 titles :  Qatar (1992, 2004) 1 title :  United Arab Emirates (2007)
Football in Kuwait v • d • e
Federation | National Team Premier League | Division One | Crown Prince Cup | Emir Cup | Federation Cup | Al Kurafi Cup(defunct)
International football v • d • e
FIFA | World Cup | Confederations Cup | U-20 World Cup | U-17 World Cup Olympics | Asian Games | All-Africa Games | Pan American Games | Island Games | Minor Tournaments World Rankings | Player of the Year | Teams | Competitions | Organizations | Codes
Asia: AFC – Asian Cup      Africa: CAF – Africa Cup of Nations      North America: CONCACAF – Gold Cup      South America: CONMEBOL – Copa América      Oceania: OFC – Nations Cup      Europe: UEFA – European Championship      Non-FIFA: NF-Board – Viva World Cup
National football teams of Asia (AFC) v • d • e
Afghanistan | Australia | Bahrain | Bangladesh | Bhutan | Brunei | Cambodia | China PR | Chinese Taipei | Guam | Hong Kong* | India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | Japan | Jordan | Korea DPR | Korea Republic | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Macau* | Malaysia | Maldives | Mongolia | Myanmar | Nepal | Oman | Pakistan | Palestine | Philippines | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Singapore | Sri Lanka | Syria | Tajikistan | Thailand | Timor-Leste | Turkmenistan | United Arab Emirates | Uzbekistan | Vietnam | Yemen * FIFA and AFC use Hong Kong and Macau; the EAFF uses Hong Kong, China and Macau, China.
Union Arab de Football Association National teams competitions v • d • e
Arab Nations Cup | Pan Arab Games | Gulf Cup of Nations
Union Arab de Football Association Clubs competitions v • d • e
Arab Champions League  | Gulf Club Champions Cup Arab Cup Winners' Cup (defunct)  | Arab Super Cup (defunct)
Union Arab de Football Association teams v • d • e
Algeria | Bahrain | Comoros | Djibouti | Egypt | Iraq | Jordan | Kuwait | Lebanon | Libya | Mauritania | Morocco | Oman | Palestine | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | Somalia | Sudan | Syria | Tunisia | United Arab Emirates | Yemen