Kuwaiti players leave after the qualifying match.

KUWAIT CITY, March 26: Kuwait is "logically" out of contention for a third or fourth-place finish – which would secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup playoffs – but a "mathematical" possibility, albeit highly improbable, remains after a 1-0 loss to Oman.

To keep their slim hopes alive, the Blues must win both of their remaining matches in June against Palestine and South Korea while relying on Oman to lose against both Jordan and Palestine.

Currently, South Korea leads the group with 16 points, followed by Jordan (13), Iraq (12), Oman (10), Palestine (6), and Kuwait (5). Given that Kuwait is the only team yet to secure a victory – having settled for five draws and three defeats – its chances now depend on an unlikely series of results.

Despite this, Kuwait’s progress under Argentine coach Juan Pizzi has been notable, as the team has begun to develop a clearer identity on the field. However, fans aspire to more than just improvement – they want tangible success and a return to the World Cup, especially with Asia’s expanded qualification spots increasing their chances of competing on the global stage for the first time in 44 years.

Beyond World Cup ambitions, the 2027 Asian Cup looms as a crucial objective. Kuwait must prioritize youth development and establish a well-structured preparation plan to build a competitive squad capable of delivering strong performances.

The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) expressed its gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support during the match against Oman. The association also extended its appreciation to government agencies, including the Ministries of Interior, Health, Municipality and Urban Planning, and Electricity and Water, as well as the Public Authority for Sports, the General Fire Department, the Union of Cooperative Societies, organizing committees, and volunteers.

The federation emphasized that the team gave its best effort to satisfy its supporters. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on strengthening the national team and ensuring continued backing to achieve the best possible results.

Assistant Coach Ahmed Abdul Karim apologized to all those who supported Kuwait in its 2026 World Cup qualifier against Oman, acknowledging the "significant" impact of Yousef Nasser's absence.

In a post-match press conference, after a narrow 1-0 loss to Oman, Abdul Karim explained, "The technical staff tried to adjust by compensating for Nasser's absence and fielding a balanced lineup, but things didn’t go as planned for the Blues." He also mentioned that Oman's defense had done a commendable job in shutting down spaces.

Fahad Al-Hajri attributed the loss to "exhaustion and insufficient recovery time." He acknowledged that the team had performed well in the first half but felt fatigue set in due to the short rest after the Iraq match. Al-Hajri also praised Oman’s tactical play, particularly their collective movement and ability to close spaces. He thanked both the players and the fans for their continued support.

Oman’s coach, Rashid Jaber, commented on the match, saying, "The Blues performed admirably on their home turf in front of their fans. We took control in the second half but squandered several opportunities to seal the win." Jaber added, "Qualification is now within reach for all teams, and we must wait for the next two rounds."

By Khaled Al-Enezi and Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff