Al-Houti: "Kuwait" is capable of competing in the second AFC Champions League

Kuwait’s national team captain during its golden era, Saad Al-Houti, believes that past glories can be revived, starting with Al-Kuwait Club’s participation in the 2026–2027 AFC Champions League Two.

Al-Kuwait, a three-time winner of the AFC Cup, secured their place in the next edition of the AFC Champions League Two after clinching the 2025–2026 AFC Challenge League title in May. Al-Houti is confident that the club, which he represented throughout his career, will be capable of competing against higher-level opponents.

Speaking exclusively to the Asian Football Confederation’s website, Al-Houti said: “Al-Kuwait is a historic club with a prominent status in Kuwait and across the entire region.”

He added: “Given the importance of this tournament, the club held a two-week training camp in London, where they played several strong matches. The team undoubtedly benefited from these games, which helped enhance their readiness.”

He continued: “We feel great pride in representing Kuwaiti football in the AFC Champions League Two, especially after winning the AFC Challenge League title last season—an exceptional achievement by any measure.”

Continental success is nothing new for Al-Houti, as his international career coincided with one of the brightest periods in Kuwaiti football history.

The 72-year-old said: “We have many wonderful memories in Kuwait, from qualifying for the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals, when only 24 national teams participated, to winning the Asian Cup in 1980, becoming the first West Asian national team to achieve this feat.”

He added: “At Al-Kuwait Club, I progressed through various age groups from a young age and won numerous titles, most notably the Emir Cup four times and the league championship the same number of times.”

He remarked: “I am proud to be one of the sons of this historic institution. The club played a major role in my career and served as the first platform for my development, leading to my representation of the national team.”

He noted: “I believe we will gradually become accustomed to the tournament atmosphere as the competition progresses. We have many professional players with great potential, and we look forward to continuing our success at the continental level.”

The former Kuwait captain also views the tournament as an important platform for the new generation of rising players.