Crunch time: Kuwait gears up for high-stakes World Cup qualifier in Basra
BASRA, Iraq, March 19: Kuwait faces a crucial test in its quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as it takes on Iraq this Thursday at 9:15 pm at Basra International Stadium in the seventh round of Group B qualifiers.
Elsewhere in the group, Oman will host South Korea at 2:00 pm, while Jordan faces Palestine at 9:15 pm.
Kuwait Currently, sits in fifth place with 4 points, in a group led by South Korea (14 points), followed by Iraq (11 points), Jordan (9 points), and Oman (6 points). Palestine remains at the bottom with 3 points.
Under Argentine coach Juan Pizzi, the Blues are still seeking their first victory in the group after drawing four matches and losing two. However, the challenge will be tough against an Iraqi side aiming for the top spot. The two teams previously played to a draw, despite Iraq being reduced to ten men for more than 83 minutes after Rebin Solava's red card.
Kuwait has been preparing intensively, holding a training camp in Dubai since March 9, which included a 3-1 friendly win over China. A positive result against Iraq would boost the team's chances of securing third or fourth place—both of which lead to the decisive round of qualifiers. It would also serve as a morale boost ahead of its home clash against Oman next Tuesday in the eighth round.
Iraq, on the other hand, looks to capitalize on home advantage and edge closer to securing one of the two automatic qualification spots. However, the team will be without Stoke City forward Ali Al-Hammadi, who has been ruled out due to injury and will also miss the match against Palestine next Tuesday.
The match will be officiated by a Chinese refereeing team, led by Fu Maning as the main referee, with Zhou Fei and Zhang Cheng as assistants. Zhang Li will serve as the fourth official, while Fei Ming and Jin Jing will oversee the VAR system.
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