Kuwait Club is set to face Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates in a decisive group-stage match at 6:00 p.m. on June 13, as the 28th Asian Men’s Club Handball Championship proceeds at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex in Kuwait City. The encounter marks the final round of the preliminary phase and will determine one of the remaining semifinalists for the tournament.

Kuwait Club enters the match needing only a victory or draw to secure a place in the semifinal round, which also guarantees qualification for the 2026 Club World Championship, known as the “Super Globe.” In contrast, Sharjah, the defending champion, has been eliminated from contention and will look to close their campaign with pride against one of the tournament favorites. The match is expected to be highly competitive, despite the differing stakes for each side, with Kuwait enjoying home advantage and strong crowd support.

So far, Burgan Club of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia’s Al Khaleej have confirmed their semifinal berths. The remaining two spots are contested by Kuwait Club, and Qatar’s teams Al Arabi and Al Duhail, who face each other in a separate group fixture on the same day. The semifinal pairings will pit the group winners against the fourth-placed team, and the runners-up against the third-placed team, with the winners advancing to the final scheduled for June 17.

Kuwait Handball Federation Secretary-General Qaed Al-Adwani commended the host club’s efforts in organizing the championship, emphasizing Kuwait Club’s strong reputation in managing high-profile Gulf, Arab, and Asian tournaments. He highlighted the full support provided by the federation to the organizing committee, ensuring technical and logistical readiness, which has been positively received by participating delegations. Al-Adwani noted the close coordination among the federation, Kuwait Club, and relevant authorities has contributed to the smooth management of the event, reflecting positively on Kuwaiti handball’s regional and international standing.

Meanwhile, Burgan Club President Anwar Al-Otaibi expressed satisfaction with the club’s first appearance in the Asian Club Championship, which doubles as a qualifier for the 2026 Super Globe in Egypt. He attributed Burgan’s strong performances to strategic planning by the club’s board and the contributions of technical staff and players, including targeted signings for the tournament. Al-Otaibi’s ambitions extend beyond mere participation, highlighting a desire to compete for titles and enhance Kuwait’s presence in continental handball competitions. He also praised the championship’s organization and logistics, crediting Kuwait Club’s administrative excellence. Al-Otaibi expressed hope that both Burgan and Kuwait Club will advance to the final to further boost Kuwait’s reputation in Asian handball.