Helio Sousa targeting Kuwait’s Gulf Cup challenge despite Saudi Arabia experience gap

Kuwait manager Helio Sousa says his side are determined to compete for the Gulf Cup 27 title when they face Saudi Arabia at Alinma Stadium in the opening round.

Sousa acknowledged the difference in experience and resources between the teams but insisted Kuwait are not in the tournament merely to take part. The Portuguese coach said the match was part of a wider project to build a side capable of challenging the strongest teams and qualifying for the next Asian Cup.

“The atmosphere is good,” Sousa said at his pre-match news conference. “We started preparing on 7 September and played several friendly matches. The camp was good and everything is going well here in Jeddah. We are preparing in the best possible way for the opening match.

“We are grateful for the hospitality and generosity we have received. The training ground is excellent and all the facilities are excellent.”

Sousa said Kuwait’s work extended beyond Gulf Cup 27, with the team developing a clear identity and style for future competitions.

“We are building a team to compete in the next Asian Cup, and everything we do is heading in that direction,” he said. “We always prepare to win the next match. We do not know what will happen, but we are working on the ideas and tactics we want to apply.

“We will face strong opponents and want to be ready for what comes next. Playing against any team, in any stadium, is the mentality we want.”

He added: “We have improved a lot and want to become stronger.”

Sousa dismisses FIFA ranking concerns

The Kuwait manager said he was not concerned by the teams’ positions in the FIFA rankings, placing greater importance on progress and results.

“I do not care about the FIFA ranking or the fact that our opponents are ahead of us,” he said. “We want to win, improve and be the best version of ourselves every day. Different styles of play require time, and that is what we are working on with the players.”

Sousa said Kuwait had experienced difficult years after being absent from serious competition, and that his staff were now trying to restore the team to the position they believed it deserved.

“Kuwait went through some problems and was away from competition for years,” he said. “We are now working on a new identity and a new way of reaching the place we deserve. The players are doing their best, and we want to give them stability and comfort so they can grow, develop and produce better performances.”

He described Saudi Arabia as a strong opponent with a long history in the tournament, adding that its international experience and powerful domestic league presented a major challenge.

“Saudi Arabia have a long and strong history in this competition,” Sousa said. “They have international experience and a league similar to the world’s major leagues. That is excellent.”

Kuwait aiming to compete, not participate

Sousa confirmed Kuwait would look for an advantage rather than reveal specific plans to exploit Saudi Arabia’s weaknesses.

“The Saudi team is very strong, but we want to show how we can benefit from certain strengths,” he said. “We will speak to the players and try to gain that advantage. We can talk about it later.”

He admitted Saudi Arabia and Iraq had a different level of experience because both had appeared at the World Cup, but said Kuwait were developing quickly.

“We know our experience is different from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, who have played at the World Cup,” he said. “That gives them a different status. But our team is growing and improving, and we want to take faster steps.”

Kuwait have won the Gulf Cup more times than any other team, but Sousa said past success did not mean they had reached their desired level.

“We are in 2026 and proud of what we achieved in the past, but we have not reached the level we want,” he said. “The good thing is that we are moving in the right direction.”

Kuwait midfielder Fahad Al-Hajri thanked Saudi Arabia for its welcome and said his team’s ambition remained winning the tournament.

“We have a great legacy in the Gulf tournament, and whenever we participate our goal is to win it,” he said. “The opening match is difficult and important, but we are here to win the title.”

Al-Hajri cited Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup as proof that opening matches can produce surprises.

“The first game is always difficult,” he said. “What happened when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina at the 2022 World Cup is evidence of that, and it made us happy.”

He added: “The Saudi league is strong and we have great respect for them. Tomorrow we can face Saudi Arabia and win.”