14/10/2026
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14/10/2026
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KUWAIT CITY, Oct 14: Al-Arabi began training at Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, as it gears up for its AFC Challenge League Group B campaign.
The Kuwaiti side will compete against Tajikistan’s Istiklol, Syria’s Homs Al-Fida, and Lebanon’s Al-Najma in the group stage.
Al-Arabi opens its campaign against Homs Al-Fida on Saturday before facing Istiklol next Tuesday. It will wrap up its group-stage matches against Al-Najma on October 23.
Coach Mohammed Abdulnabi has named a 23-man squad for the tournament, with Yousif Majed, Hussein Ashkanani, Abdulrahman Ajaj and Hussein Kankouni among those left out.
Abdulnabi has taken charge of the team following the departure of Croatian coach Goran Sablic, who was dismissed last Saturday after a disappointing run of results this season.
Al-Arabi has managed just three points from four matches in the Zain Premier League. They drew 1-1 with Kuwait Club, 3-3 with Sulaibikhat, and 1-1 with Kazma before losing 2-1 to Jahra. Its continental campaign also suffered a setback in August, when it lost 4-1 to India’s East Bengal in the AFC Champions League Two playoff and missed out on the tournament.
Bangladesh’s Fortis was the first team to arrive, reaching Kuwait on Monday ahead of its Group C opener against Qadsia on Saturday in the AFC Challenge League.
India’s Goa and Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ are expected to arrive ahead of their meeting on Saturday in the group’s other opening fixture. The second round of matches will take place next Tuesday, with the group stage concluding on October 23.
Qadsia’s organizing committees have completed preparations to welcome the four participating teams and the Asian Football Confederation delegation. Arrangements covering transportation, accommodation, and training facilities have been finalized, while Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium is ready to host the group’s matches.
The teams are scheduled to train at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium at Yarmouk Club and Thamer Stadium at Salmiya Club.
By Hassan Mosa
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
