An Injured Kuwaiti player is helped off the field by the medical staff.

KUWAIT CITY, June 11: Nothing has changed—only renewed disappointment and another early exit for the Blues from the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Despite having their first real opportunity in 18 years, Kuwait’s national team failed once again to advance, falling short in the group stage without a single victory and earning just 5 points out of a possible 30.

The team finished last in their group, trailing behind sides like Palestine, whose football has been disrupted by war since October 2023, and Oman, a team Kuwait hasn’t beaten in more than 25 years.

Former national team coach Jawad Maqsid attributes Kuwait’s decline to the lack of local talent and weak domestic performances. “The league lacks quality, and most local clubs no longer produce talented players. They rely instead on ready-made options,” Maqsid stated.

He added, “There’s a clear absence of promising Kuwaiti players. Is it possible that a country like Kuwait has no footballing talent? The last standout was Bader Al-Mutawa. Since then, no player has emerged to captivate the fans.”

Maqsid stressed the urgent need for the Kuwait Football Association to invest in youth development, with structured plans and programs that prioritize age-group competitions.

Maqsid suggested a complete overhaul of the national team: “All current players should be released, and a foreign coach with knowledge of Gulf football should be appointed, along with two Kuwaiti assistants.” He emphasized that this new technical staff must have full authority to select players without interference.

He also pointed out that local players have not significantly benefited from the presence of foreign professionals, citing their average skill levels. “Relying on aging players has become part of the problem—youth must now be the focus.”

In the wake of the team’s failure, the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) issued an apology to fans, expressing deep regret over the national team’s early elimination from the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The association acknowledged the previous board's decision to appoint the current coaching staff and explained that the current administration chose not to disrupt the team during the qualifiers, particularly due to the high cost of terminating head coach Juan Pizzi’s contract, estimated at over one million dollars.

Nevertheless, the KFA stressed that reforms will not be delayed. Plans are in motion to prepare the team more effectively and professionally for upcoming competitions.

The KFA has already begun reviewing the résumés of several foreign coaches as it looks to replace Argentine Juan Pizzi. The objective is to rebuild the squad ahead of the crucial playoff match against Mauritania in late November—a qualifier for the Arab Cup, scheduled to be held in Doha in December.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff