India vs Kuwait Football Head to Head Record
In sports, the India vs Kuwait rivalry is rarely discussed; very few people are aware that these teams compete against one another in any sport. This is because, although cricket-loving India has teams that are well-known across the world, football is the only team sport in which Kuwait has a strong squad, and the Indian football team seldom ever ventures outside of its comfort zone for a variety of reasons, both financial and athletic. Nonetheless, the Indian football team frequently competes against West Asian football teams in international competitions. Although the India vs Kuwait football match did not occur frequently, these two teams typically faced off at major games. This explains why football fans see a rivalry between the Indian and Kuwaiti teams, although one that isn’t very fierce. Since these two teams were formerly regarded as some of the greatest in Asia, even though the India vs Kuwait football rivalry is not one that can attract global attention, at least Asia watches when these two countries meet. Taking a trip down memory lane, we will examine the meetings between these two sides, take a look at India vs Kuwait’s football head-to-head record, and examine their rivalry in this sport. First, let’s look at the head-to-head record. India vs Kuwait Football Head to Head Record Kuwait triumphed 6-1 at the 1978 Asian Games, which marked the beginning of the India vs Kuwait football rivalry. Since then, India and Kuwait have played seven games in all, with three victories for India, two victories for Kuwait, and two draws. India vs Kuwait Head to Head Record India vs Kuwait 7 Games Played 7 3 Won 2 2 Lost 3 2 Draw 2 India 3-2 Kuwait 5 Nov, 2004 Biggest Win Kuwait 9-1 India 14 Nov, 2010 India 1-9 Kuwait 14 Nov, 2010 Biggest Defeat Kuwait 2-3 India 5 Nov, 2004 India National Football Team vs Kuwait National Football Team Timeline Take a look at the comprehensive history of India vs Kuwait football matches below: Date Tournament Result Scoreline June 6, 2024 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Draw India 0-0 Kuwait November 16, 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers India Won Kuwait 0-1 India July 4, 2023 SAFF Championship final India Won on Penalties India 1 (5) – (4) 1 Kuwait June 27, 2023 SAFF Championship Draw India 1-1 Kuwait November 14, 2010 International Friendly Kuwait Won India 1-9 Kuwait November 5, 2004 International Friendly India Won Kuwait 2-3 India December 17, 1978 Asian Games Kuwait Won India 1-6 Kuwait India vs Kuwait Football: FIFA Rankings India FIFA Ranking Current FIFA Ranking of India According to the most recent update, Team India is now at 133rd place in FIFA Rankings. India Highest FIFA Ranking On February 21, 1996, India was ranked 94th in the FIFA Rankings, which was their highest ranking ever. India Lowest FIFA Ranking On March 12, 2015, India recorded its lowest-ever FIFA Ranking of 173. Kuwait FIFA Ranking Current FIFA Ranking of Kuwait Kuwait is currently ranked 138th according to the latest FIFA Ranking update. Kuwait Highest FIFA Ranking Kuwait’s highest-ever FIFA Ranking came on December 23, 1998, when they were placed 24th. Kuwait Lowest FIFA Ranking Kuwait achieved its lowest-ever FIFA Ranking of 189 on December 21, 2017. India vs Kuwait Football: Honours India Football Teams Honours India’s two gold medals in the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962 stand as their best-ever performance in competitive football. In addition, India won three South Asian Games and seven SAFF Championships. Competition Position Medal Type Years Continental AFC Asian Cup 2nd place Silver 1964 AFC Challenge Cup 1st place Gold 2008 Asian Games 1st place Gold 1951, 1962 3rd place Bronze 1970 Regional SAFF Championship 1st place Gold 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023 2nd place Silver 1995, 2008, 2013, 2018 3rd place Bronze 2003 South Asian Games 1st place Gold 1985, 1987, 1995 2nd place Silver 1993 3rd place Bronze 1989, 1999 Kuwait Football Teams Honours Kuwait has experienced greater continental success than India, having won the Asian Games in 1982 and 1998 as well as the AFC Asian Cup in 1980. Kuwait has won the Arabian Gulf Cup ten times aside from this. Kuwait has also won the WAFF Championship and the West Asian Games. Competition Position Medal Type Years Continental AFC Asian Cup 1st place Gold 1980 2nd place Silver 1976 3rd place Bronze 1984 Asian Games 2nd place Silver 1982, 1998 3rd place Bronze 1986, 1994 Regional Arab Cup 3rd place Bronze 1964, 1992, 1998 Arab Games 3rd place Bronze 1992, 2011 Arabian Gulf Cup 1st place Gold 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2010 2nd place Silver 1979 3rd place Bronze 2002, 2013 West Asian Games 1st place Gold 2002 3rd place Bronze 1997 WAFF Championship 1st place Gold 2010 SAFF Championship 2nd place Silver 2023 Friendly Competitions Focus International Cup 1st place Winner 2011 Merdeka Cup 2nd place Runner-up 1973 World Cup Qualifications: India vs Kuwait Football India World Cup Qualifications In the history of the Indian football team, the FIFA World Cup Qualifications are the most agonising event. India has not competed in any World Cups, despite having qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Since India has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup since 1950, every Indian football fan laments the Indian Football Federation’s decision not to send the Indian team to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Kuwait World Cup Qualifications Kuwait had already competed in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, but that was Kuwait’s only World Cup participation thus far. Among the Gulf nations, Kuwait was the first to compete in the FIFA World Cup. India vs Kuwait Football Rivalry Given their respective histories, India has outperformed Kuwait. From the 1950s to the 1970s, they were dubbed the “Brazil of Asia” because of their aggressive and free-flowing style of play. India also saw more success during this time, qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 1950 although not competing in that World Cup and…
