Kuwait Olympic Committee complains about barring three athletes from entering Japan to compete in the 2026 Asian Games

The Kuwait Olympic Committee filed an official complaint with the organizing committee of the 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya), citing the reasons why three players from Kuwait’s senior national football team were denied entry into Japan, despite having received official accreditation cards issued by the organizing committee, which explicitly state that these cards serve as visas for entry into the host country.

Ali Al-Mari, Assistant Secretary-General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee, said in a press statement on Monday that the Kuwait Olympic Committee had fulfilled all approved procedures and requirements, and had submitted all data and documents pertaining to the members of the Kuwaiti delegation, including the three players, to the organizing committee within the specified deadlines, as received from the Kuwait Football Association in accordance with established procedures.

Al-Mari noted that the organizing committee issued official accreditation cards for the players after receiving their data and travel documents, clarifying that the three players hold travel documents issued under Article 17, and that the decision to deny them entry was made by the relevant Japanese authorities at Nagoya Airport.

He added that the Kuwaiti delegation arrived in the Thai capital, Bangkok, and departed from there to Japan, where they presented their travel documents and official accreditation cards issued by the organizing committee in accordance with established procedures, but were denied entry by the relevant authorities at Nagoya Airport.

He affirmed that the Kuwait Olympic Committee immediately initiated communications and took necessary efforts with the relevant authorities to address the issue and enable the players to join the delegation and participate in the Games.

Al-Mari expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Chargé d’Affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan, Sheikh Jaber Al-Sabah, for his efforts, cooperation, and continuous initiatives to contribute to resolving this matter.

He emphasized the Kuwait Olympic Committee’s full commitment to protecting the rights of Kuwaiti athletes and enabling them to represent Kuwait at all international sporting events.