The Blues Host Syria in Preparation for 2030 World Cup Qualifiers

Kuwait’s senior national football team will face Syria in an international friendly match scheduled for 7:30 PM today (Friday) at the Friendship and Peace Stadium within the Kazma Club.

The match is sanctioned by FIFA, meaning its result will be included in the organization’s monthly ranking. Under FIFA regulations for international friendlies, each team is limited to making only eight substitutions.

Both teams are preparing for the 2030 World Cup qualifiers, which begin next August, as well as the 2027 Asian Cup, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia.

Under the guidance of Portuguese manager Helio Sousa, the “Blue Team” aims to achieve several objectives, primarily assessing the performance of the squad and integrating newly capped players. Additionally, they seek a victory to improve their FIFA ranking and to secure a morale-boosting win following their exit from the recently concluded Gulf Cup 27 in Saudi Arabia, where they suffered three defeats.

Training sessions ahead of today’s clash revealed that Sousa has adopted an attacking approach while ensuring defensive stability starting from the midfield.

Nineteen players have been selected for the match, with Khalid Al-Rashidi expected to start in goal.

The Blue Team will be without Fahad Al-Hajri, who submitted a request for exemption from the current training camp due to personal circumstances, as well as Mohammed Daham, who requires an extended recovery period for a deep wound near his Achilles tendon. Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Huwaidi has been ruled out of the squad after sustaining a minor tear during a match against Al-Salmiya.

The objectives of the Syrian national team, led by Spanish manager Jose Lanna, are likely similar to those of Kuwait. Alongside testing various players, Syria aims to secure a victory to gain at least one position in the FIFA rankings.