The Kuwaiti national football team ended its campaign at the 27th Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah sitting at the bottom of Group A without a single point, marking the worst performance in the team’s history under the current tournament format, according to Al Bayan. The squad, historically known as the record-holder with 10 tournament titles, suffered three consecutive defeats during the group stage, as reported by Akhbar Al Khaleej.
Kuwait’s Record-Breaking Gulf Cup Exit and Apology
Following the team’s elimination, the Kuwait Football Federation issued an official apology via its account on the X platform to supporters who traveled to attend the matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq. In response to the setback, the governing body announced that its technical and administrative staff would compile a comprehensive report detailing the causes of the exit, identify existing flaws, and propose solutions to improve future performances.
Match Results and Historical Context in Jeddah
The campaign opened with a narrow 0-1 defeat against the host nation, Saudi Arabia, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium. That initial loss was followed by a 2-3 defeat against Iraq on a Saturday match, and the tournament concluded with a 1-3 defeat to Oman. In the final fixture, Shabab Al-Khaldi initially put Kuwait ahead in the sixth minute, but Oman secured a comeback victory through goals from Nasser Al-Rawahi and Musab Al-Shuqairi.
Prior group stage exits in recent history included Gulf Cup 22 in Saudi Arabia in 2014 where the team finished third with four points, Gulf Cup 23 hosted in Kuwait in 2017 with one point, and Gulf Cup 25 in Basra in 2023 with four points. However, failing to secure any points in the current edition stands as an unprecedented low point for the squad.
Federation Offers Free Tickets to Loyal Supporters
Despite the winless exit, dedicated supporters continued to back the squad. Youssef Al-Rashood, a Kuwaiti fan identified as a person of determination, traveled with his family to Jeddah for his first trip outside the country to support the team. Al-Rashood noted that his attachment to the team transcends match outcomes, emphasizing that Kuwait maintains a historic legacy in the regional competition.
To honor this support, the federation declared that fans who attended the matches would receive free tickets for all matches of the upcoming Saudi Super Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait during December, featuring Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, Al-Khulood, and Al-Qadsia.
Former Players Criticize Tactical Failures and Preparation
Former national team players evaluated the squad’s structural deficiencies following the elimination. Former Al-Qadsia and national team star Rashid Badih told Agence France-Presse that Portuguese coach Hélio Sousa failed to maximize the squad’s preparation from the Arab Cup and preceding fixtures, pointing out a lack of organized midfield solutions, tactical flexibility, and physical readiness. Badih noted that the team’s goals were primarily scored from set pieces.
Commentators and analysts have also stressed the importance of strengthening the domestic league schedule to elevate player readiness for international fixtures, looking ahead toward upcoming commitments such as the AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.
