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Arab Times
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait banks on home support in pivotal World Cup qualifier against Oman
KUWAIT CITY, March 24: Kuwait's World Cup qualification hopes hang in the balance as they prepare to host Oman in a decisive encounter at 9:15 PM this Tuesday at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium. The match marks the eighth round of Group B in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Elsewhere in Group B, Jordan will take on South Korea at 2:00 pm, while Palestine faces Iraq at 9:15 pm at Amman International Stadium. South Korea leads the group with 15 points, followed by Iraq and Jordan, who are tied for second with 12 points each. Oman sits in fourth place with 7 points, while Kuwait is fifth with 5 points—just two points ahead of Palestine, which remains at the bottom of the standings. The top two teams from each of the three groups will secure direct qualification to the World Cup, while the third- and fourth-place teams will enter the playoffs, divided into two groups, competing for two and a half spots. For Kuwait, victory is the only viable option to keep their qualification hopes alive and boost their chances of finishing in third or fourth place. A draw would extend their chances into the final two rounds, but a loss could significantly diminish their hopes of advancing. The Blues will be without star striker Yousef Nasser, who scored both goals against Iraq in the previous round but, is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. This forced Argentine coach Juan Pizzi to seek an alternative in attack, with Salman Al-Awadhi and Fawaz Mbilish emerging as potential replacements. Another tactical option could see Kuwait deploying a "false nine," with Eid Al-Rashidi or Mubarak Al-Fenini filling the role. Beyond tactics, the coaching staff is banking on the team's rising morale following its strong performance against Iraq in Basra. Additionally, a strong home crowd is expected to provide a crucial boost, especially given the Blues' noticeable improvement in recent months. Oman, under coach Rashid Jaber, recognizes the significance of this fixture. A win would dramatically improve its chances of progressing to the next round and put pressure on Iraq and Jordan. It will draw confidence from its resilient 1-1 draw against South Korea in the previous round. Qatari referee Salman Falahi will officiate the match, assisted by Ramzan Al-Nuaimi and Majed Al-Shammari. Video Assistant Referees (VAR) Abdullah Al-Marri and Mohammed Ahmed will also be in charge.
Arab Times
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait's Nasser and Al-Fadhli out for pivotal World Cup qualifier against Oman
KUWAIT CITY, March 22: Kuwait will be without striker Yousef Nasser and goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli for their crucial match against Oman on Tuesday in the eighth round of Group B in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The team resumed training at Kuwait Club Stadium on Sunday, just a day after returning from Basra, where they secured a 2-2 draw against Iraq in the seventh round. Most players took part in the session, including Hassan Hamdan, who had missed the previous match due to injury. The Blues now face a must-win situation against Oman—or at least a draw—to keep their hopes alive for a fourth-place finish and progression to the next round. Kuwait currently sits in fifth place with five points, ahead of Palestine (3 points), while Oman holds fourth place with seven points. Iraq and Jordan are tied in second place with 12 points, while South Korea leads the group with 15 points. Argentinian coach Juan Pizzi praised his players' performance against Iraq, despite the disappointment of conceding a late equalizer. "It was a tough and competitive match, as expected, but I'm very proud of my players. They put in a great effort regardless of the result, and I thoroughly enjoyed their performance," Pizzi said. He acknowledged the frustration of conceding in the final seconds but emphasized the need to stay positive. "The late equalizer was painful, but we remain optimistic and focused. Now, our priority is to prepare well for the next match." Pizzi also highlighted the importance of recovery, noting that some players are carrying injuries while others are at risk of suspension. However, he expressed confidence that the team had sufficient time to recover before facing Oman. "We've been working on improving the team's overall performance for the past seven months, and we've seen significant progress. Additionally, we're integrating young players, as we saw today with Jassim Matar," he added. Before training, Federation Board members Osama Hussein and Ayman Al-Husseini met with the squad, commending their efforts against Iraq and encouraging them to give their all against Oman. Meanwhile, the Omani national team began training at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium immediately after arriving from Beijing on a private flight. Oman enters the match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Group B leaders South Korea in the seventh round.
