Qadsia, Salmiya step up preparations for league return

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Qadsia and Salmiya are intensifying their preparations with a friendly match this Sunday as both teams aim to strengthen their positions ahead of pivotal league and AFC Challenge League fixtures. This build-up is crucial since upcoming league matches will be postponed to accommodate international commitments, impacting the schedule for key teams including Qadsia, Al-Arabi, and Salmiya.

Qadsia and Salmiya are intensifying their preparations ahead of the Zain Premier League as both teams gear up for upcoming domestic and international fixtures. The two sides are scheduled to face each other in a friendly match on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. at Thamer Stadium.

In the league, Qadsia will play Tadamon on Saturday in the fourth round. The team currently holds third place in the standings with six points, just one point behind the joint leaders Kuwait Club and Kazma. Salmiya, also with six points, sits fifth and will take on Shabab on the same day.

Last week, Qadsia boosted its momentum with a 3-2 victory over English side Salisbury in a friendly held at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium. The club is preparing to host Group C matches of the AFC Challenge League from October 17 to 23. Their group opponents will include India’s Goa, Bangladesh’s Fortis, and Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ.

Al-Arabi, another prominent Kuwaiti club, has recently returned from a 10-day training camp in the United Arab Emirates, where it played several friendly matches. The team is set to resume its league campaign next Friday with a home match against Kazma at Thamer Stadium. Shortly after, Al-Arabi will travel to Tajikistan to compete in the AFC Challenge League group stage, where they will face Lebanon’s Al-Najma, Syria’s Homs Al-Fida, and host club Istiklol. These group stage games are scheduled to begin on October 17.

Meanwhile, Kazma is maintaining strong form ahead of its clash with Al-Arabi after securing a 5-1 victory over Al-Jazeera in a friendly match. Al-Jazeera used the game as preparation for the start of the Zain First Division League, which begins next Thursday.

Al-Sahel has also returned from a training camp in Cairo, where it engaged in three friendly matches. The team, currently in seventh place with four points, will face Al-Fahaheel in the fifth round next Sunday.

The Kuwait Football Association has released the fixtures for rounds four through eight of the Zain Premier League. Following these matches, the league will pause from November 8 to 18 to accommodate the FIFA international window. Due to commitments in the AFC Challenge League, the fifth-round games between Qadsia and Al-Sahel, as well as between Al-Arabi and Salmiya, will be postponed.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.