Kuwait SC

What links Geoff Hurst, MK Dons and Sam Morsy?

Find out by reading up on the history of his new team,

– so let’s #GetTheBadgeIn.

If fans in the UK know Kuwait, it’s likely from that unfortunate little episode in 1990 when Saddam Hussein rolled his tanks in on a bank holiday weekend and declared it his. The world mobilised, sent in bigger tanks (and aircraft with laser-guided munitions), threw him back out, and restored Kuwait’s sovereignty.

Anyone alive at the time will remember the nightly news reports and the ghostly, dystopian images of burning oil wells—set alight by Saddam’s retreating army. Out of spite, they torched them, pushing billions of tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Thanks, guys.

But what fans will probably be less familiar with is Kuwait’s long culture and tradition. It sat on the edge of what’s known as the “cradle of civilisation” – ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq and Syria). This was a people who developed some minor little inventions like the wheel, writing, timekeeping, maths, irrigation, and the world’s first major cities like Ur. So, these guys are no latecomers to the game of success.

In the modern world, though, they were latecomers to football. The game developed in European and South American factory towns in the late 19th century. At the time, Kuwait was largely ruled by Bedouin who did a spot of pearl diving and trading – no streets to kick a ball around in or large factories to supply the young men needed to make teams.

So, football came later – in the 1960s – and Kuwait Sporting Club, Sam Morsy’s new team, was one of the first to be founded. Founded in 1960, just before the country’s independence in 1961, the club carries the nickname Al-Ameed (العميد), meaning The Brigadier or The Dean. It’s a name translates to something like leadership, experience, and honour—like a military brigadier or university dean. Kuwait SC was one of the first official sports clubs in the country—a founding pillar of Kuwaiti football. These are the OGs of Kuwaiti soccer.

By the 1970s and 80s, the club was competing fiercely with other local start-ups and sought inspiration from an unlikely source. In 1980, England’s World Cup hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst took a shock managerial role at Kuwait SC. He joined on a generous salary, controversially dropped club captain Saad Al-Houti, and went head-to-head with Scottish legend Dave Mackay, who was managing rivals Al-Arabi. Not many clubs outside the UK can say they were managed by a World Cup winner. Kuwait SC can.

But it was the 2000s that cemented their legacy. Alongside Qadsia SC, they dominated the domestic scene, sharing nearly every trophy for a decade and sparking one of Kuwait’s greatest rivalries. Kuwait SC vs Qadsia SC became a fixture that divided the capital’s two major districts — Kaifan vs Hawalli.

Internationally, Al-Ameed made history. In 2009, they became the first Kuwaiti club to win the AFC Cup, beating Syria’s Al-Karamah. Back-to-back titles followed in 2012 and 2013 and made them three-time continental champions, unmatched by any other Kuwaiti side.

At home and abroad, they carried the flag of Kuwaiti football with pride. Many of their players helped build the national team that reached the 1982 World Cup – the first Arab Asian team ever to qualify.

In a Middle East now dominated by Saudi money, the other nations are upping their game. Up steps Kuwait SC, with big signings like Sam Morsy. So where does this money come from?

Take a look at Kuwait SC’s shirts and you’ll spot a familiar sponsor: BMW. But this isn’t just any deal—it’s personal. The club is owned by Fahad Al-Ghanim, a powerful Kuwaiti businessman whose family conglomerate started as BMW’s main agent in the country. Today, they control a large share of Kuwait’s automotive and investment sector, and they’ve extended their reach beyond the Gulf.

In 2024, Fahad Al-Ghanim led the takeover of MK Dons, the English League Two club, and Stadium MK itself. From Kaifan to Milton Keynes, he’s building a sporting empire—connecting Kuwait’s capital with the heart of England.

So, what of that badge?

Kuwait SC’s badge is a striking design: a divided red-and-blue shield, topped with a white eight-pointed star, and anchored by three interlocking rings.

The star isn’t the traditional Islamic khātim or Rub el Hizb (two squares overlapping, with one at a slight angle to the other, that you see all over the Middle East) – it’s sharper, more modern. It looks more like a sunburst or compass rose. Given Kuwait’s history as a port city, that makes perfect sense. Dhows from Kuwait sailed the Gulf and Indian Ocean for centuries, linking up empires and peoples – connecting Kuwait to the wider world.

The blue reinforces this heritage. While Kuwait’s national flag is the traditional Arab red, white, green, and black, blue holds deep sporting meaning. It’s the colour of the national team, affectionately called Al-Azraq (“The Blue”), and it represents the sea. Before oil brought wealth, Kuwait’s soul was maritime—pearl diving, fishing, dhow-building. Generations lived by the tides.

The three interlocking rings are shared by most major Kuwaiti clubs and can be seen on nearly all their badges. They represent their multi-sport setup—Kuwait SC isn’t just a football team, but also competes in basketball, handball, and more. This model is common across Europe and especially the Middle East.

Kuwait SC is based in Kaifan. Built in the 1950s, Kaifan was one of the first modern planned districts after oil was discovered. It became home to Kuwait’s first cooperative society in 1962 and was seen as a symbol of the country’s progress. Today, it’s home to the Al Kuwait Sports Club Stadium, where the Brigadiers play. The district blends quiet streets, family parks, and on match days – Kuwait SC fans.

Kuwait SC isn’t just one of the region’s most successful clubs—it’s a team that has run in parallel with the national story. From its founding before independence to its dominance in the 2000s and three AFC Cup titles, it stands, as on its badge, as a shining star of Kuwaiti football.

With deep local roots in Kaifan and ownership now stretching to England, Kuwait SC is still marching at the front. And with Fahad Al-Ghanim calling the shots off the field and Sam Morsy on it, don’t be surprised if the next chapter gets even more ambitious.