Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium


Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Ardiya area of Kuwait City, Kuwait. Completed in 2009, it is used mostly for football matches and athletics. The stadium has a capacity of 60,000 seated spectators, the building is constructed in 4 levels, with 54 corporate boxes and a parking lot with a 6,001-car capacity. It was expected to open in the second quarter of 2010, but the building failed structural-integrity testing and remained closed for nearly half a decade due to a miscalculation by structural engineers. It was finally opened on 18 December 2015. Jaber Al-Ahmad stadium is currently the new home of the Kuwait national football team.
The stadium was named after late Amir of Kuwait Shaikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Kuwait celebrated their winning of the 20th Arabian Gulf Cup in that stadium.

History

First match

The first match held at the stadium was an international friendly between Kuwait national team and Bahrain national team.

AFC Cup final and renovations

Following the 2010 AFC Cup final, problems started to occur to the stadium which led to closing the stadium in 2011. Renovations started in 2014 and ended in 2015.

Re-opening

The re-opening was announced on 28 November 2015 for the 2015 Kuwait Champions Challenge, where late Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah came to the opening.
The match was between Kuwait XI and World Stars XI. The Kuwait XI won with a 4–2 score.
LET'S PLAY!, the multimedia opening show, was produced by Laser System Europe and Groupe F. It was written and directed by Rodolph Nasillski
The Kuwait FA at the time were banned by FIFA due to the Kuwaiti Government's interference in sports. With that, FIFA prevented Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo, and Xavi from playing in the match.

23rd Arabian Gulf Cup

the Arabian Gulf Cup returns to Kuwait after 3 years and after the Ban by FIFA has been lifted the AGCFF all decided to switch the host country to Kuwait. Oman were crowned Champions for the 2nd time after beating UAE on penalties in the final.
Group stage

Statistics

Most appearances & wins

CountryAppearancesWinsDrawsLoses
214710
6312
6222
4211
1100
7511
2020
1010
3201
4013
5320
1200
2101
3003
1100
1001
1001
1100
1001

Goals

  • Number of goals scored in the stadium: 162
  • Scored in First Half: 63
  • Scored in Second Half: 99
  • Scored at Extra Time: 0

Records

Most team played in the stadium: Kuwait National Football Team 21 times

Highest scoring Match: 7 Goals Indonesia National Football Team 7-0 Nepal National Football Team

Most team winning in the stadium: Bahrain National Football Team 5 times

Most team losing: Kuwait National Football Team 10 times

First goal in the stadium: Ismail Abdul-Latif

First red card: Hussain Ali Baba