Kuwaiti Handball Squad Finalises Preparations Following Camp In Europe
The Kuwait men’s handball team returned from a European camp on January 10, 2026, ahead of the Asian Championship it is hosting, Arab Times reported. The team played friendlies against Algeria, Slovenia and Georgia and trained with Kosovo as coach Aron Kristjansson finalised his squad for the January 15-29 tournament.
The training camp held across Slovenia and Croatia provided the team with important competitive exposure against varied opposition. Sessions with Kosovo focused on tactical refinements in both attack and defence according to the coach’s assessment. Kristjansson took the opportunity to observe player performances in real match conditions before committing to a final lineup.
Treasurer Khaled Taleb confirmed that the camp had achieved its intended goals, Arab Times reported. He urged local supporters to rally behind the national side throughout the championship matches. Taleb highlighted the importance of home advantage as Kuwait aims for a strong showing on familiar territory.
The 22nd edition of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship is scheduled to run from January 15 to 29 at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex. Hosts Kuwait were drawn in Group C together with the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and India, the official draw indicated. The competition brings together 15 teams from across Asia and Oceania in what serves as a key qualifying event with strong Gulf sides expected to challenge for honours.
Kuwait has won the Asian Men’s Handball Championship on four occasions, according to records from the Asian Handball Federation. The team finished in fourth position at the 2024 edition held in Bahrain. Hosting the tournament this year for the fourth time in its history presents the side with an opportunity on home soil.
Meanwhile Australia arrived in the country on the same day to begin its own training camp at the Arena Mall Sports Complex. The side is set to play warm-up games against Kuwait’s Burgan club and Sweden’s Malmo team. Such international preparation reflects the level of competition expected at the continental event.
The Asian Handball Federation has confirmed that the top four finishers will secure qualification to the 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship. This structure adds significance to performances across the preliminary groups and knockout stages. Qatar enters as a multiple-time champion with six recent titles per federation statistics.
