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 15 Nov, 2024 | Biggest Win | Kuwait 9-1 India 14 Nov, 2010 |
| India 1-9 Kuwait 14 Nov, 2010 | Biggest Defeat | Kuwait 2-3 India 15 Nov, 2024 |
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 FIFA Rankings, which were published on April 3, 2025, Team India is now placed 127th.
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 134th in the latest FIFA Rankings, which were released on April 3, 2025.
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 won the Asian Games thrice. On the other hand, while Indian football was in decline in the 1980s, Kuwaiti football was on the rise. Kuwait was a dominant power in Asia from the 1980s to the early 2000s, winning the Asian Games in 1984 and 1998 as well as the AFC Asian Cup in 1980. Both teams, nevertheless, no longer possess the charisma for which they were once renowned. Both of them are ranked in the top 100 in the current FIFA Rankings, with Kuwait coming in at number 134 and India at number 127.
