Kuwait men's national ice hockey team
Kuwait's national team returned to IIHF play in 2009.
Last updated
The Kuwait men's national ice hockey team represents Kuwait in international play. The Kuwait Ice Hockey Association runs the team, which has been part of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) since May 8, 2009. Kuwait first appeared at the World Championship in the 2018 Division III Qualification tournament. As of December 2025, the team sits 53rd in the IIHF World Ranking and 14th among Asian national teams.
Kuwait originally joined the IIHF in 1985 but was removed in 1992 because of no hockey activity. The team played its first games at the 1999 Asian Winter Games, losing to Japan, China, and Mongolia. At the 2007 Asian Winter Games, Kuwait returned to international competition and earned its first win, beating Macau.
The next year, the team finished second in the Arab Cup after losing to the United Arab Emirates in the final. In 2009, Kuwait re-admitted into the IIHF as an associate member. In 2010, the team competed in its first Challenge Cup of Asia, placing seventh. At the 2014 Challenge Cup of Asia, Kuwait finished sixth, losing all five games and dropping to Division I. The team also took second place in the Gulf Championship, again behind the United Arab Emirates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kuwait men's national ice hockey team?
It is Kuwait's representative squad in international ice hockey, governed by the Kuwait Ice Hockey Association and competing under IIHF rules. The nation has held IIHF associate membership since its re-admission on May 8, 2009.
When did Kuwait first play in international ice hockey?
Kuwait's national team took the ice for the first time at the 1999 Asian Winter Games, facing Japan, China, and Mongolia. Those early matches marked the beginning of the nation's competitive hockey history.
What was Kuwait's first international ice hockey win?
The team recorded its first-ever victory at the 2007 Asian Winter Games, defeating Macau. That result came eight years after their initial international matches in 1999.
More in International and Olympic Ice Hockey
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Kuwait men's national ice hockey team (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced