Kuwait’s bid to reach the 2026 World Cup ended in the third round of Asian qualifying. Drawn with South Korea, Jordan, Iraq, Oman and Palestine, the national team finished bottom of Group B with five points from ten matches.
The campaign included determined performances against Jordan and Iraq, but Kuwait could not turn draws into the wins needed to challenge for a place in the next round.
Kuwait secured their place in Group B with a 1–0 win over Afghanistan in June 2024. Eid Al Rashedi scored the decisive goal in the 81st minute, taking the team through from the second round of the joint World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers.
That victory also booked Kuwait’s place at the 2027 Asian Cup. The two opportunities came from the same result, though the World Cup route would demand another successful group campaign.
Kuwait drew twice with Jordan, who would eventually qualify for the World Cup. An injury-time penalty earned a 1–1 draw in Amman; in the return fixture, Mohammad Daham’s long-range strike rescued another point after Jordan had taken the lead.
The trip to Iraq brought one of Kuwait’s strongest attacking displays. Yousef Al Sulaiman scored twice to put the visitors 2–0 ahead, only for Iraq to strike twice in stoppage time and salvage a 2–2 draw. It was a point away from home, but also a missed chance to claim the first win of Kuwait’s Group B campaign.
Oman’s 1–0 win in Kuwait in March 2025 widened the gap to fourth place to five points with two matches remaining. Kuwait then lost 2–0 at home to Palestine before a 4–0 defeat away to South Korea ended their fixtures.
South Korea and Jordan took Group B’s direct World Cup places, while Iraq and Oman advanced to the next stage of qualifying. Kuwait’s five points left them sixth. The draws showed they could compete in individual matches; without a win, they could not keep pace across the group.
Elimination from World Cup qualifying did not affect the Asian Cup place Kuwait had earned against Afghanistan. The 2027 Asian Cup draw has since placed them alongside Saudi Arabia, Oman and Palestine in Group A, giving the team two opponents it faced during this World Cup campaign.
Kuwait are scheduled to open against Oman on 8 January 2027. That meeting gives them a specific chance to respond to one of the defeats that shaped their qualifying campaign.
