Iraq will host Kuwait in their third-round match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers in Barsa on Thursday. Here are the live streaming and other details of the IRQ Vs KUW football match
From a seemingly innocuous regional rivalry, fighting for yet-to-be FIFA-sanctioned events like the Gulf Cup of Nations, the Iraq vs Kuwait matches became one notorious affair, and for some time, it was billed as one of the fiercest in the world. On Thursday, the two teams will meet again in a high-stakes World Cup 2026 qualifying game. Here's all you need to know about the IRQ vs KUW, AFC qualifying third-round match. (More Football News)
This 'rivalry', one would say, started in 1980 when Kuwait defeated Iraq 3-2 in the Asian qualifying play-off for the 1980 Olympic Games. It was supposed to be Saddam Hussein's crowning moment, at least in sporting terms. His rise to power culminated in his elevation to presidentship in 1979, but within months, in front of a packed Al-Shaab Stadium crowd in Baghdad, the national team was defeated.
Both teams, undefeated in Group 1, finished with seven points each but Iraq took the top spot on goal difference. In the play-off, Kuwait won 3-2. Even though Iraq took the trip to Moscow after Malaysia's pull out (due to the Cold War) and eventually reached the quarter-finals along with Kuwait -- the only Asian teams to enter the knockouts, and also as it turned out their deepest runs in a major international tournament. But the damage was already done.
Played at Kuwait City's Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium last September, Kuwait and Iraq settled for a goalless draw -- a result akin to victory for the hosts. After six matches, Iraq have 11 points (three wins and two draws) and are second behind South Korea. Kuwait, meanwhile, are fifth with four points, all from draws.
The Lions of Mesopotamia are in a prime position to secure one of the two direct qualification spots from the group. After the Kuwait match, they will take on Palestine, South Korea, and Jordan.
For the Blue Wave, the realistic target would to be finish in the top four which will ensure a fourth-round appearance, then a possible inter-confederation play-off. Their upcoming matches are against Oman, Palestine, and South Korea.
Iraq and Kuwait have played 37 matches against each other with the former leading the head-to-head record 17-10. Another 10 games have ended in draws. Iraq are unbeaten in their five matches against Kuwait (two wins), and their last defeat in the fixture was in December 2014, in the first of four friendlies.
In the Arabian Peninsula, footballing fortunes have ebbed and flowed but one thing that has remained constant is regional rivalries, and unmistakably Iraq vs Kuwait match-ups, despite the recent friendlies, still dominate public discourse.
When to watch the Iraq vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match?
The Iraq vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match will be played at the Barsa International Stadium, Barsa on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The match will start at 11:45 pm IST.
Where to watch the live streaming of the Iraq vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match?
The live streaming of the Iraq vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match will be available on the FanCode app and website.
Where to watch the live telecast of the Iraq vs Kuwait, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match?
In Iraq, the match will be live telecast on beIN SPORTS CONNECT, TOD and Shoof. In Kuwait, the match will be live telecast on beIN SPORTS CONNECT, TOD and Shoof.