IHF confirms 10-team lineup for 2026 Club World Championship

11/07/2026

CAIRO, July 11: The International Handball Federation (IHF) has confirmed the 10 clubs that will compete in the 2026 IHF Club World Championship, scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1.

The lineup features host Al Ahly of Egypt, Barcelona of Spain as European champions, Burgan of Kuwait as Asian champion, Montada of Morocco representing Africa, Füchse Berlin of Germany representing Europe, Esporte Clube Pinheiros of Brazil representing South and Central America, HC United of the United States representing North America and the Caribbean, Sydney Uni of Australia representing Oceania, Veszprém of Hungary as a wild-card entry, and Zamalek of Egypt, also awarded a wild card.

For Burgan, the tournament will mark a landmark moment in the club's history. The Kuwaiti side earned its place on the world stage after winning the 28th Asian Club Championship, held in Kuwait last month, in what was its first-ever appearance in the continental competition.

Burgan secured the Asian crown with a victory over Saudi Arabia's Al-Khaleej in the final, becoming the sixth Kuwaiti club to lift the continental title. The triumph saw the club join an elite list of national champions that includes Kazma, Al-Qadsia, Al-Fahaheel, Al-Sulaibikhat, and Kuwait Club, while also booking its historic debut at the Club World Championship.