Latest news with #AhmedAl-Yousef
Arab Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
KFA Chairman congratulates Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi on reaching the Crown Prince Cup final
KUWAIT CITY, April 29: Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association (KFA), Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef, extended his congratulations to Kuwait Club and Al-Arabi for qualifying for the final of the Crown Prince Cup, under the gracious patronage of His Highness. Sheikh Al-Yousef praised the impressive technical performances showcased by all teams during the semi-finals and commended the competitive spirit displayed throughout the tournament. He also conveyed his best wishes to Kazma and Qadsia clubs for success in upcoming competitions, expressing appreciation for the passionate and respectful support from fans. Furthermore, he thanked the tournament organisers, staff, and refereeing teams for their professionalism and excellent match management. Looking ahead, Sheikh Al-Yousef expressed his hope that the final, scheduled for May 19 at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium between Al-Arabi and Kuwait Club, will deliver a match of exceptional quality befitting the occasion.
Arab Times
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
‘Juan Pizzi left without official approval, set to return next week'
KUWAIT CITY, April 3: Kuwait Football Association (KFA) President Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef revealed that Argentine coach Juan Pizzi sought permission from the national team manager before leaving the country but did not follow the official procedure for obtaining special leave. Pizzi departed last week following the Blues' match against Oman on March 25 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Al-Yousef confirmed that the coach is expected to return next week. Previously, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef had assured that the current technical staff would remain in charge until the end of Kuwait's qualifying campaign in June. Pizzi and his assistants' contracts are set to expire in July. In his efforts to advance Kuwaiti football, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef has enlisted Spanish legend Carles Puyol as an advisor. Speculation suggests that Puyol may collaborate with his football company to implement a long-term strategy for the sport's development in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef expressed his ambition to expand the Federation's competitions by adding six to eight new clubs next season. Speaking after the match between Al-Jahra and Al-Jazeera—a newcomer to the Federation's competitions— Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef emphasized his commitment to integrating Al-Jazeera into the league as a model for private sector involvement. He also noted that the Federation has received numerous applications from new clubs, with financial stability being a key selection criterion.
Arab Times
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Amir Cup final set for June 16, Crown Prince Cup final on May 19, confirms Kuwait FA
KUWAIT CITY, March 29: The Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef, has confirmed that the Amir Cup Final for the 2024-2025 season will take place on June 16, while the Crown Prince Cup Final is scheduled for May 19. Sheikh Yousef extended his deep gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his patronage of the tournament. He also expressed his sincere appreciation to His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, may God protect him, for his continued support. While the Amir Cup has yet to begin, the Crown Prince Cup has already kicked off with its preliminary round. Kuwait Club defeated Al-Tadamon 5-0, while Khaitan edged past Al-Sulaibikhat 4-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw. Kazma beat Al-Yarmouk 3-1 to advance. Al-Salmiya dominated Burgan 5-1 as Al-Fahaheel secured a 2-0 win over Al-Shabab. The remaining fixtures in the round include:
Arab Times
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait's World Cup journey at stake in Oman encounter
KUWAIT CITY, March 23: Kuwait wrapped up its final training session at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in preparation for a must-win match against Oman on Tuesday, in the eighth round of Group B of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Blues are in a must-win scenario to keep their hopes alive for a third or fourth-place finish, which would secure a play-off spot in the qualifiers. A draw would extend Kuwait's chances to the final two rounds, while a loss would eliminate it from the race to qualify. In Group B, South Korea leads with 15 points, while Iraq and Jordan share second place with 12 points each. Oman sits in fourth with 7 points, while Kuwait (5 points) is just ahead of Palestine (3 points) at the bottom of the standings. The entire squad participated in the latest training session, giving all players an equal shot at making the starting lineup for the decisive match. The session was attended by Kuwait Football Federation officials, including Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef and board members Osama Hussein, Mubarak Abdulaziz, and Ayman Al-Husseini, who offered their full support to the players. Kuwait's Argentine head coach Juan Pizzi, alongside assistant Ahmed Abdul Karim, has emphasized that form and fitness will determine the lineup, rather than reputation. The Blues will be without striker Yousef Nasser and goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, forcing Pizzi to explore attacking alternatives. Salman Al-Awadhi and Fawaz Mbilish are among the top candidates to step in, while Kuwait may also shift tactics to rely on a false striker. A Qatari officiating crew will oversee the match, led by referee Salman Falahi, assisted by Ramzan Al-Nuaimi and Majed Al-Shammari. Abdullah Al-Marri and Mohammed Ahmed will serve as VAR officials. The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has launched ticket sales for the high-stakes clash, urging fans to rally behind the team with the campaign "The Promise at Jaber Stadium." In a message to supporters, the KFA stated:
Arab Times
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah: Kuwait ready to host major tournaments
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 19: Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Kuwait Football Association, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of all relevant authorities in preparing to host the Gulf Cup for Veterans, set to take place in Kuwait from February 22 to 26. In a press statement, he emphasized that state agencies are working diligently to ensure the tournament's success by addressing any challenges faced by the organizing committees. He stressed that Kuwait aims to deliver an event that meets the highest standards both organizationally and technically, reinforcing the country's reputation as a premier host for major sports competitions. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef highlighted Kuwait's strong infrastructure, financial resources, and skilled workforce, which position the nation as a capable host for international tournaments. He noted that the Gulf Cup for Veterans holds special significance, as it is being staged in a competitive format for the first time, offering a unique opportunity to reunite legendary players and passionate fans from across the region on Kuwaiti soil. He also pointed out that the tournament's organization follows the same model as the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, which Kuwait successfully hosted from December 21 to January 4. The event garnered widespread praise across the Gulf and Arab world, with media outlets commending its seamless execution and high-level competition. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef concluded by welcoming all participating delegations and fans to Kuwait, wishing the teams 'success in the tournament. As of today, Thursday, the delegations from the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman have arrived, completing the lineup of participating teams. The Yemeni team was the first to land in Kuwait last Sunday, followed by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Iraq on Wednesday. All teams are currently training at the subsidiary fields of Jaber Stadium, with the tournament kicking off Saturday with four exciting matches:
