Kuwait Olympic Committee seeks answers after 3 players denied entry to Japan

The players huddle for a team talk.

KUWAIT, Sept 14 (Agencies): The Kuwait Olympic Committee has lodged an official complaint with the organizing committee of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, seeking clarification over the denial of entry to three members of Kuwait’s national football team despite their holding official accreditation cards issued by the Games organizers.

Kuwait Olympic Committee Assistant Secretary General Ali Al-Marri said Monday that the committee had completed all required procedures and submitted, within the designated deadlines, the data and documents of the Kuwaiti delegation, including the three players, based on information received from the Kuwait Football Association.

Al-Marri said the organizing committee subsequently issued official accreditation cards to the players after receiving their personal details and travel documents. He noted that the three players hold travel documents issued under Article 17, but Japanese authorities at Nagoya Airport nevertheless refused them entry.

The Kuwaiti delegation travelled to Japan via Bangkok, with the three players presenting their travel documents and official accreditation cards upon arrival. Despite having completed the required procedures, they were denied entry by the relevant authorities at Nagoya Airport.

Al-Marri said the Kuwait Olympic Committee immediately contacted the authorities concerned and took all necessary steps to resolve the issue and allow the players to join the delegation and take part in the Games.

Kuwait’s U-23 national team launches its Asian Games campaign today against Vietnam in the opening round of Group C at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

The match kicks off at 1:00 pm Kuwait time at Minato Stadium in Nagoya, with Uzbekistan facing the Philippines in the other Group C fixture.

Kuwait coach David Doniga has selected a 21-player squad for the tournament, including Dhari Al-Masri, Abdulrida Shehab, Hamoud Al-Sanaousi, Bandar Al-Barazi, Ahmed Boudi, Muntasir Al-Abdul-Salam, Jassem Al-Anzi, Bandar Al-Salama, Jassem Shammouh, Abdullah Al-Ghanem, Omar Al-Matar, Abdullah Fares, Saleh Al-Mohatab, Talal Al-Qaisi, Muath Al-Asima, Eid Al-Azmi, Ahmed Khorshid, Mohammed Al-Suraihi, Fawaz Al-Mubailesh, Mohammed Al-Sharifi and Abdullah Al-Ayyoub.

The opening match is seen as crucial to Kuwait’s hopes of making a strong start and advancing to the knockout stage. The players and coaching staff are fully focused on securing all three points, which would provide an important boost in confidence ahead of the second group match.

The coaching staff is also counting on the players’ determination to represent Kuwait strongly and meet the expectations of their supporters as they seek to make a deep run in the tournament.

A positive result against Vietnam would give Kuwait valuable momentum in its pursuit of a place in the quarterfinals.