Burgan ends historic Club World Cup debut with seventh place

Burgan players celebrate with coaches after beating Morocco’s Montada Derb Sultan to finish 7th at the Club World Cup.

CAIRO, Oct 1: Burgan wrapped up its historic Club World Cup debut with a seventh-place finish after defeating Morocco’s Montada Derb Sultan 29-25 in Cairo. Kuwait international goalkeeper Ali Safar was named player of the match.

Burgan entered the tournament as Asian champion after winning the continental title in Kuwait in July — the first major Asian trophy in the club’s history.

Drawn in Group B alongside Germany’s Füchse Berlin, Egyptian giant Al Ahly and Hungarian side Veszprém, Burgan lost all three group matches before ending its campaign on a winning note against Derb Sultan.

Despite the results, the tournament gave Burgan valuable exposure against some of the world’s top teams and different playing styles. The experience is expected to benefit the players and coaching staff as they prepare for the resumption of domestic competition.

Burgan is awaiting the completion of the 2025-26 season, which was suspended in March because of regional developments, before turning their attention to the 2026-27 campaign, scheduled to begin this month.

The club will look to use its World Cup experience to strengthen its domestic challenge after establishing itself among Kuwait’s leading handball sides last season.

Al-Sulaibikhat has added goalkeeper Mishal Al-Shatti on a free transfer and Abdulrahman Al-Anzi on loan from Kazma as they prepare for the 2026-27 season.

The signings are part of the club’s efforts to strengthen the squad and improve its readiness for the upcoming domestic campaign. Al-Sulaibikhat recently held an overseas training camp in Doha.

The club is also preparing to complete the suspended 2025-26 season while getting ready for the new campaign, with the management and coaching staff targeting stronger performances and results.

Al-Anzi welcomed the move to Al-Sulaibikhat, saying he was looking forward to a new experience and the opportunity to gain more playing experience while contributing to the team.

The player, who has previously represented Burgan and Kazma, described the move as an important step in his career and said he hoped it would help him develop his game and strengthen his confidence.

He thanked Al-Sulaibikhat for their confidence and Kazma’s management and handball department for facilitating the loan, adding that he hoped to repay that trust with strong performances next season.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff