FIFA: Our support contributed to enhancing sustainable development of Kuwaiti football - Sarmad
FIFA has confirmed that its support has contributed to strengthening the path of sustainable football development in Kuwait, and providing broader opportunities for playing football and futsal across various segments of society. It noted that strategic planning, alongside funding provided by FIFA, has helped lay the foundations for a promising future for the game.
FIFA explained that following the participation of the Kuwaiti senior men’s national team in the FIFA Arab Cup 2025™, the team is preparing to compete in next year’s Asian Cup, marking its first appearance on the continental stage since 2015. The next goal is to return to the World Cup for the first time since the historic participation in the 1982 tournament, with the qualifiers for the 2030 edition beginning next year.
The official FIFA website quoted Kuwait Football Association (KFA) President Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah as saying, “FIFA’s continuous support has been a cornerstone in driving the development of football in Kuwait and strengthening the foundations of sustainable growth for the game.”
Al-Yousef added, “Through initiatives and projects such as the women’s football project, the talent development program, the coaching talent program, and the upcoming FIFA Academy in Kuwait, FIFA has provided valuable expertise, resources, and development opportunities that have made a tangible difference in our football ecosystem.”
According to FIFA, this support has had a particularly notable impact on the development of women’s football and futsal. In 2018, Kuwait was one of three countries selected for the pilot phase of the women’s football strategy, which brought about a qualitative leap in this field.
FIFA contributed $507,434 toward the total project cost of $569,785, a move that significantly helped transform the sports landscape in Kuwait, particularly through the establishment of the first national women’s futsal league.
As part of the Kuwait Football Association’s “Vision 2030,” the “Football in Schools” initiative was integrated with FIFA’s Talent Development Support (TDS) program, forming a first step in efforts to identify and nurture promising players in Kuwait.
Quoting Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef, the international federation’s website stated, “We highly appreciate FIFA’s commitment to supporting our association and investing in the development of our players, coaches, and football structures. These programs help us build a stronger and more sustainable pathway for talent development in Kuwait, while contributing to achieving our long-term vision for the future of football.”
