Burgan handed a tough draw for the Handball Club World Championship

A file photo of players in action.

CAIRO, July 22: Asian champion Burgan has been handed a challenging draw for the 19th IHF Men’s Handball Club World Championship “Egypt 2026,” where they will face Egyptian host Al Ahly and German giants Füchse Berlin in Group B.

The tournament draw placed Burqan alongside some of the strongest teams in world handball, with the fourth team in the group to be determined from the preliminary-round clash between Hungarian club Veszprém and Sydney University of Australia.

The competition will begin with a preliminary round featuring two matches. Egyptian club Zamalek, which received a wildcard invitation, will take on Los Angeles of the United States, representing North America and the Caribbean, while Veszprém will meet Sydney University, representing Oceania.

The winner of the Zamalek-Los Angeles tie will join Group A, which includes European champions Barcelona of Spain, African representatives Montada of Morocco, and Brazilian side Banhairos, representing South and Central America.

Group B will see Burgan make its first appearance at the global club tournament against African champions Al Ahly and European powerhouse Füchse Berlin, with the final spot decided after the preliminary stage.

Burgan’s participation represents a historic milestone for Kuwaiti handball. The club earned its place after winning the 28th Asian Men’s Handball Club Championship, held in Kuwait last month, defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej in the final to claim its first continental title.

The achievement made Burgan the sixth Kuwaiti club to win the Asian crown, joining Kazma, Al-Qadsiya, Al-Fahaheel, Al-Sulaibikhat, and Kuwait Club.

Burgan President Anwar Zaid Al-Otaibi said the club will begin preparations early for the prestigious event, adding that Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Tareq Al-Jalahma and Public Authority for Sports Director General Bashar Abdullah have promised support to help the team prepare for the international challenge.

Al-Otaibi expressed his hopes that the Asian champion can deliver a strong performance on its historic World Championship debut.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff