Al-Sahel eyes First Division League title as promotion race reaches final day

Al-Jazeera and Al-Sulaibikhat players vie for the ball.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 19: The 2025-26 First Division League reaches its conclusion tonight, with the title and second promotion spot still up for grabs. The competition has been one of the longest in the league’s history after being interrupted several times due to the security situation in the region.

All four matches will kick off simultaneously at 8:10 p.m. Al-Sahel hosts Al-Yarmouk at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, Al-Jazeera meets Al-Sulaibikhat at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium, Al-Shamiya faces Khaitan at the auxiliary pitch of Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, while Sporty takes on Burgan at Al-Sahel Stadium.

Al-Sahel leads the standings with 44 points and needs a win to officially crown itself champion. The team has already secured promotion to the Premier League and will begin its top-flight campaign next Wednesday against the First Division runners-up.

The battle for the second promotion ticket is much tighter, with Al-Sulaibikhat, Al-Yarmouk, and Al-Jazeera all still in contention.

With 41 points, Al-Sulaibikhat is in pole position and has several paths to promotion. A victory over Al-Jazeera would guarantee second place regardless of the result between Al-Sahel and Al-Yarmouk.

A draw would also be enough if Al-Yarmouk fails to beat Al-Sahel.

Al-Yarmouk, on 40 points, must beat Al-Sahel and hopes Al-Sulaibikhat drops points against Al-Jazeera.

A victory alone would not secure promotion, leaving Al-Yarmouk dependent on the result of the other key match.

Al-Jazeera has 38 points and must win against Al-Sulaibikhat while also hoping Al-Yarmouk loses to Al-Sahel.

If those results occur, Al-Jazeera and Al-Yarmouk would finish level on points, with Al-Jazeera holding the advantage on goal difference. The teams are level in their head-to-head meetings, with Al-Yarmouk winning 3-1, Al-Jazeera prevailing 2-0, and their third encounter ending 3-3.

Meanwhile, the remaining two fixtures have no major bearing on the promotion race. Al-Shamiya, on 10 points, faces Khaitan, who has 24, while Sporty, on six points, meets Burgan, on 20.

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff