Head coach Pizzi directs the players during training session.

DUBAI, March 12: The Kuwait national team is now at full strength as Al-Arabi players joined the squad at its training camp in Dubai, UAE, on Thursday evening. The team is gearing up for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier matches against Iraq and Oman, scheduled for March 20 and 25, respectively.

Al-Qadsiya players arrived at camp a day earlier after concluding their Gulf Champions League campaign in style, securing a spot in the final by defeating UAE’s Al-Nasr 4-3 on penalties. Meanwhile, Al-Arabi players linked up with the squad following the conclusion of their Asian Challenge Cup commitments.

In a late squad change, head coach Juan Pizzi has called up Ahmed Al-Zanki to replace Meshari Ghannam, who sustained an injury that rules him out of the upcoming matches. Ghannam underwent medical tests to assess his recovery timeline, with the final diagnosis confirming that he will require several days of treatment before returning to action.

The team will conclude its training session on Thursday evening before facing China in a friendly match on Friday. The fixture serves as a final test for Pizzi to evaluate his squad’s readiness and reintegrate returning players ahead of their departure to Basra, Iraq, on March 18.

Kuwait’s Consul General in the UAE, Khaled Al-Zaabi, visited the national team’s training camp in Dubai, accompanied by Ayman Al-Husseini, head of the delegation and member of the Kuwait Football Federation’s Board of Directors, along with Khaled Al-Farsi from the Kuwaiti Consulate.

Al-Zaabi encouraged the players to give their best effort in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, emphasizing the embassy’s commitment to supporting the team’s preparations. In response, Al-Husseini expressed gratitude to the Kuwaiti Embassy and Al-Zaabi for their assistance in ensuring a smooth and successful training camp.

Meanwhile, Oman faces a challenging schedule before meeting Kuwait. The team will first take on South Korea before returning to Kuwait for its March 25 qualifier.

Additionally, Oman is set to play a friendly against Sudan on Thursday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bousher. The match had been uncertain for several days, especially after Oman’s planned friendly against Niger was canceled due to logistical issues preventing the opposing team’s arrival.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff