Kuwait Handball Team Targets Deep Run in Asian Championship Main Round
Kuwait’s national handball team prepared for the main round of the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship on January 20, 2026, with a decisive match against Iraq scheduled for the following evening at the Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Sports Complex in Kuwait City, according to Arab Times. The hosts advanced from the preliminary stage after defeating the United Arab Emirates 27-22 and now sit in Group One alongside Iraq and Japan, as the tournament that doubles as a qualifier for the 2027 World Championship in Germany runs through January 29. Arab Times reported that a rest day preceded the resumption of play on January 21 with both main round and classification matches.
Arab Times listed the teams advancing to the main round as Qatar and South Korea from Group A, Bahrain and Iraq from Group B, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates from Group C, plus Saudi Arabia and Japan from Group D. The Kuwait Handball Federation member Talal Al-Otaibi told Arab Times that the squad’s strong preliminary performances stemmed from three months of dedicated training that included overseas camps and daily sessions. He added that players, administrative staff and technical personnel demonstrated discipline throughout preparations while praising the federation for smoothly hosting the continental event.
The federation official expressed confidence in Kuwait’s ability to advance deep into the tournament, citing the team’s technical quality and the motivational boost from home fans, Arab Times reported. Talal Al-Otaibi noted that the impressive level on court reflected sustained hard work across all involved parties. According to the Asian Handball Federation, Kuwait has secured the Asian title four times with victories in 1995, 2002, 2004 and 2006, establishing a strong historical record in the competition that began in 1977.
Icelandic coach Aron Kristjánsson told Arab Times that the team delivered a solid performance in the 27-22 win over the United Arab Emirates despite several injuries that disrupted defensive balance and forced player rotations. He highlighted missed scoring opportunities in attack that the staff planned to address ahead of tougher upcoming fixtures. The coach added that he hoped injured players would recover in time for the squad to operate at full strength during the main round.
Team captain Abdullah Al-Khamees told Arab Times that players accepted responsibility for defensive and attacking errors against the United Arab Emirates and remained determined to apply those lessons in subsequent matches. He described the Kuwaiti fans as the real stars of the tournament and said the squad was eager to repay their consistent backing with strong performances. Abdullah Al-Khamees voiced confidence that supporters would continue to rally behind the team in the critical phase ahead.
The International Handball Federation noted that the 2026 edition marked the fourth time Kuwait hosted the Asian Men’s Handball Championship, which qualifies its top four finishers for the 2027 World Championship in Germany. Arab Times indicated that the main round opener against Iraq at 6:00 pm on January 21 would set the tone for Kuwait’s campaign in front of a vocal home crowd. The competition featured 14 participating nations including defending powers such as Qatar, according to the federation’s official records.
