World Cup Qualifying - Asia | Third Round

Nov 19, 2024 at 12am UK

Kuwaitvs.Jordan

Match preview

Kuwait are currently five points behind Jordan for an automatic spot in the 2026 finals, so they have some ground to make up halfway through the third round of qualification.

Juan Antonio Pizzi's team haven't won a game at this stage of the qualification cycle. They've gone five games without a win.

At the same time, they're just three points behind Oman for a top-four spot, which would get them into the fourth round of qualifying and keep their chances of making the World Cup for the first time since 1982 alive.

Al-Azraq have only scored once in their two third-round home games, with their last win against Afghanistan in June (1-0).

This is their first time in the third round of World Cup qualification since 2014, and they haven't made it to the final stage since 1998.

The last time they won a third-round qualifier was back in November 2011, when they came from behind to beat the UAE 2-1.

Jordan are in the third round of qualification for the first time since 2014. They've done just enough to get by and remain in a top-two position.

Jamal Sellami's team have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two games, earning at least a point in four of their last five.

They've not lost an away match in qualifying yet. They came first above Saudi Arabia in round two and got four points from two games as the visitors in round three.

Since losing to Qatar in the Asian Cup final in February (3-1), this team has only been beaten once in 11 matches across all competitions (2-0 against South Korea).

In the 2026 qualification period, Jordan have picked up four points when they've been the first to concede a goal. They've also been undefeated when they've drawn first blood.

In their last seven meetings with Kuwait across all competitions, the Jordanians have only managed to claim one victory (3-0 in 2022). However, they are unbeaten against them over that stretch.

Recent Performance

Kuwait World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WDDLDL

Jordan World Cup Qualifying - Asia form:WDWLWD

Jordan form (all competitions):WDWLWD

Team News

Just four of the players who started the Kuwait match with Palestine kept their place in the starting 11 on matchday five: Khalid El Ebrahim, Meshari Ghanem, Redha Abujabarah and Salman Al-Awadhi.

On Thursday, El Ebrahim reached the half-century mark for caps with the national team. Meanwhile, Khaled Al-Kharqawi, Montaser Al-Abdulsalam, Nasser Khader and Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli are all seeking their first appearances internationally.

Mohammad Daham's goal against the Koreans last week was a bit of a consolation, his fourth for the senior side.

Two new players were in the Jordan starting 11 from matchday four to five of qualifying. Rajaei Ayed and Mousa Al-Tamari replaced Noor Al-Rawabdeh and Mahmoud Al-Mardi.

Al-Tamari is tied with Yazan Al-Naimat, each with 22 goals for the national team, which is fourth all-time. If Ali Olwan scores in this upcoming match, he'll tie with Abdallah Deeb for eighth.

Yazeed Abulaila only had to make two saves in their match against Iraq for his second consecutive clean sheet.

Possible starting lineup

Kuwait possible starting lineup:

Al-Rashidi; Al-Sanea, H. Al-Enezi, El Ebrahim, Ghanem; S. El-Enezi, Abdujabarah, Zayid, Al-Dhefiri; Daham, Khalaf

Jordan possible starting lineup:

Abulaila; Nasib, Al-Arab, Abualnadi; Haddad, Sadeh, Al-Rashdan, Al-Mardi; Al-Tamari, Al-Naimat, Olwan