09/06/2026
Kuwait made their only World Cup appearance in the 1982 edition, which was hosted by Spain. They were placed in the same group as Czechoslovakia, France and England.
After an impressive 1-1 draw with Czechoslovakia, Kuwait battled France next in the next game, hoping to achieve an upset. But despite showing good resistance for the first 30 minutes, France finally opened scoring and by half-time, were leading 2-0.
France added a third goal three minutes after the break. In the 75th minute, Kuwait pulled one back but shortly after, Alain Giresse scored again for France.
However, the goal was protested by the Kuwait players who had paused play after mistaking a whistle from the crowd to be that of the Soviet referee Miroslav Stupar.
President of the Kuwait Football Association Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who had been watching from the stands, also rushed on to the pitch in protest. Finally, Stupar gave in and disallowed the goal.
However, France would go on to score another in the 89th minute, as the game ended 4-1.
Kuwait lost their next match 1-0 to England and finished bottom of the group with 1 point.
