![Iraq supporters take their seats before the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Kuwait and Iraq at Jaber al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City on September 10, 2024. [YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/GettyImages-2170555291.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The entire board of the Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has resigned after a widespread public outcry over the poor organisation of last week’s World Cup qualifier match against Iraq.
Thousands of fans were left in sweltering temperatures for hours at the 60,000-capacity Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, with many fainting due to a lack of water. Temperatures at the venue soared above 40°C (104°F) during the game, which ended goalless.
بيان من الاتحاد الكويتي لكرة القدم.#KuwaitFA pic.twitter.com/aicvTPUyZP
— KuwaitFA (@KuwaitFA) September 14, 2024
Following an inquiry into the chaos, the KFA issued a statement late on Saturday announcing the resignations of all seven board members. Kuwait’s state-run KUNA news agency reported that the board members tendered their resignations en masse.
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The inquiry revealed serious logistical failures, including issues with ticketing and crowd management. Some fans who had purchased tickets were refused entry, while others without tickets were allowed inside. The association admitted that these “unacceptable events” had led to widespread criticism from fans and officials alike.
In addition to the board’s resignation, the KFA also confirmed that its secretary-general, Salah Al-Qanai, and head of public relations, Mohamed Bou Abbas, had stepped down. Both officials had already been suspended earlier in the week.
According to Kuwait’s Arab Times, acting Secretary General Saleh Al-Majroub is expected to convene an extraordinary meeting of the KFA’s General Assembly to approve the resignations and appoint a temporary committee to oversee the federation’s operations during the interim period.
Sources suggest that this temporary committee will manage the Federation for one year before organising new elections.