Players hold local training session.

KUWAIT CITY, June 30: The Kuwait Olympic soccer team will play two friendly matches against Egypt on July 17 and 20 as part of its overseas training camp, which begins on July 6. The camp is part of the team's preparation for the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers to be held in Saudi Arabia in January 2026.

The technical staff, led by Croatian head coach Dario Bašić, has requested a third friendly match during the camp, with efforts underway to secure an additional opponent.

Currently, the team continues its training at the auxiliary stadium of Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium as it builds fitness and cohesion ahead of the qualifiers.

Kuwait will compete in Group B, alongside Japan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, with Myanmar hosting the group matches from September 1 to 9, 2025.

According to the qualification system, the top team in each of the ten groups, along with the five best second-placed teams, will advance to the tournament finals. They will join host nation Saudi Arabia in a 16-team competition divided into four groups.

Following the overseas camp, the Olympic team will begin a second training phase, during which the squad will be evaluated and the final roster narrowed down for the qualifiers.

The team is scheduled to depart for Myanmar one week before the start of the qualifiers to adapt to the local weather conditions, which differ significantly from those in Kuwait.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff