Kuwait’s Football Authority Clamps Down on Clubs as Round 5 Heats Up
16 October 2025
Kuwait FA Issues Strict Instructions
The Kuwait Football Association released a formal statement directing clubs in the Zain League's Premier and First Divisions to strictly comply with the competition regulations on spectator entry and exit, as well as the clubs presence on the main platforms. This move aims to keep matchdays orderly after a long FIFA break.
On-Pitch Access and Board Members
The federation also forbids board members from entering the pitch and bars attendance by anyone not officially authorised, to ensure a smooth, well-organised operation.
Importance of Compliance
Officials say cooperation from clubs demonstrates their commitment to delivering matches in the proper fashion and helps preserve the integrity and smooth running of the competition.
Round 5 Fixtures and Standings
As the fifth round opens on Friday and runs across three days, two heavyweight matchups headline the weekend: Qadsia against Kazma on Saturday, and Al-Arabi versus Al-Salmiya on Sunday. The opening match on Friday pits Jahra against Tadamon. A second Saturday match features Al-Fahaheel against Al-Nasr, while Sunday concludes with Shabab hosting Kuwait. The league table has Kuwait atop with 10 points, one clear of Salmiya and two in front of Al-Arabi; Qadsia and Shabab sit three points adrift. Kazma sits sixth with six points, followed by Tadamon, Fahaheel, Jahra, and Al-Nasr at the bottom with no points.
National Team Update and Plans
The Kuwaiti national team, the Blue, returned from a brief training camp in Dubai after a friendly against a Morocco local team, which Morocco won 1-0 at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium, home of Shabab Al-Ahli. Coach Helio Sousa fielded a large squad, making multiple changes, while three players were sidelined by injury. In Dubai, Sousa used 23 of 26 squad players; in the Syria friendly the previous September, all 26 were included. Kuwait will stage a second training camp in Egypt in November, preparing for friendlies vs Tanzania and Gambia at Cairo International Stadium, ahead of the Arab Cup qualifiers in Qatar later this year. Sousa will meet with the federation's technical committee to review Dubai's camp positives and negatives and identify a core group for the next phase, aiming for a positive result to secure Arab Cup qualification.
Arab Cup Qualification and Outlook
The winner of Kuwait vs Mauritania would enter Group 3 of the Arab Cup alongside Egypt, Jordan, and the UAE. Egypt has indicated it will participate with a split-team; the UAE is deciding as well. Kuwait's chances of advancing to the knockout rounds look promising if they beat Mauritania, in what could be a widely watched Arab Cup edition.
Sniper punchline 1: The rules are so tight you could store a ball in a filing cabinet.
Sniper punchline 2: If anyone sneaks onto the pitch, the referee will show them a yellow card and a one-way ticket to the snack bar.
