KUWAIT CITY, Nov 11: In preparation for the upcoming clash against India in the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup, Kuwait intensified their training at the Friendship and Peace Stadium. The group, which includes Qatar and Afghanistan, are committed to achieving success in Group A competitions.

The Azraq delegation is set to depart for Dammam on Friday for the second round of qualifiers against Afghanistan at Al-Ittifaq Club Stadium on November 21.

Team director Abdul Rahman Al-Mousa highlighted the coach's focus on stability in recent selections, with limited choices and a cautious approach to incorporating one or two players at a time.

Regarding the absence of certain standout performers, Al-Mousa emphasized that the selected players have been consistent and part of the coach's current selection circle. He clarified, "The door will remain open to receive the best and those capable of providing the required addition to the team."

The return of Abdulaziz Wadi is noted after his recovery and standout performances with Al-Qadsia. Al-Mousa also highlighted Aqeel Al-Hazeem as one of the noteworthy new faces.

With the team in a closed camp since last Wednesday, Al-Mousa expressed hopes for the readiness of all players, particularly Ahmed Al-Dhafiri, who undergoes an intensive treatment program to regain strength, although his chances of playing against India are slim.

Al-Mousa acknowledged the challenging competition ahead, citing the prominence of the Qatari team and the speedy Indian team. He emphasized that the team approaches each match individually, striving for the best performance in the qualifiers.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Mousa expressed great confidence in the selected team members, affirming their desire to advance in the qualifiers and their capability to tackle the challenging task ahead.