Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef, Bader Al-Kharafi, Abdulmohsen Al-Faqaan and Faisal Al-Yateem with the French Super Cup.

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 4: In a press conference held at Zain’s HQ in Shuwaikh, the Kuwait Football Association, Zain Kuwait, and Kuwait Airways announced that the French Super Cup match, the Trophée des Champions, will be held in the State of Kuwait at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on January 8, 2026. This global football event, expected to fill the 60,000-seat stadium, will bring together Paris Saint-Germain, champions of the French league and holders of the French Cup, and Olympique de Marseille, league runners-up, adding a new milestone to Kuwait’s record in hosting major international sporting events.

The press conference was joined by Kuwait Football Association Chairman Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader Al-Kharafi, Kuwait Airways Chairman Captain Abdulmohsen Al-Faqaan, Secretary General of the Higher Committee for Major Sporting Events Faisal Al-Yateem, and senior officials from all partners.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef said: “We are pleased to be here today at Zain’s headquarters to meet with you at this press conference to announce the start of ticket sales for the French Super Cup match, which will be held on 8 January 2026. This global event represents an important milestone for Kuwaiti sports and comes as the result of a distinguished partnership, held for the first time in Kuwait, between the Kuwait Football Association and the Public Authority for Youth and Sport to organise sporting events in 2026. We hope these events achieve the desired success and continue on a sustained basis in the future.”

He added, “I would also like to emphasise that this event would not have been possible without the support of our partners. The efforts of the Kuwait Football Association and the Public Authority for Youth and Sport alone would not have sufficed without the generous backing of the sponsors who undertook to support this event, led by Zain, along with Kuwait Airways and the rest of our supporting partners.”

He concluded by saying: “We affirm that the door to partnership will remain open to all those who wish to support upcoming sporting events, in a way that contributes to the advancement and development of Kuwaiti sports. Once again, we extend our thanks to all our partners, foremost among them Zain and Kuwait Airways.”

Bader Al-Kharafi said: “Kuwait’s hosting of this global football event comes as an extension of the High Directives of H.H. the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to strengthen Kuwait’s sporting position regionally and internationally, and to highlight its role as a platform for bringing people together and hosting major events that reflect the nation’s creative human talent and advanced infrastructure.”

Al-Kharafi added: “The wise political leadership places youth at the heart of its vision for the nation’s future. Sport is one of the most important tools for translating this vision into reality, as it carries messages of unity, belonging, and tolerance, and creates real opportunities to empower national talents and highlight Kuwait’s bright image to the world.”

He continued: “In line with this national direction, we at Zain are delighted to support this distinguished global football event. Support for sports is not seasonal or tied to a single tournament, but is an integral part of Zain’s strategy that places youth and sports at the top of our priorities. We will spare no effort to ensure that this event serves as a bright showcase for our nation and an unforgettable experience for football fans from Kuwait and beyond.”

Captain Abdulmohsen Al-Faqaan said: “Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait, is proud to be the main sponsor of the French Super Cup, which Kuwait is hosting. Our presence here today is clear evidence of our continued support for everything related to the prosperity of our beloved Kuwait, and reflects our firm commitment to helping showcase Kuwait’s role across all fields, as Kuwait Airways is an integral part of the national sectors that constantly strive to leave a genuine mark that benefits the country.”

Al-Faqaan added: “Hosting this major global sporting event on home soil, which will be watched by large numbers of fans around the world, embodies Kuwait’s distinguished position in the region as an attractive platform for international events, and reflects the country’s outstanding infrastructure and its strong capability to organize major global tournaments.”

He went on to say: “Stemming from Kuwait Airways’ national role and its responsibility to support activities held in Kuwait, we reaffirm today our active presence across various sporting, cultural, and economic events, as we believe in the importance of promoting the modern image of our beloved nation, and supporting efforts aimed at stimulating sports tourism and strengthening Kuwait’s position on the regional and international events map. Moreover, the national carrier’s support for this globally renowned competition is a translation of our ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that serve the community and elevate Kuwait’s name, while cementing fruitful partnerships with major events that add value to the sports and tourism sectors in the country.”

Al-Faqaan stressed that “Kuwait Airways places great importance on reinforcing ties with leading national institutions and building bridges of cooperation with them, considering this an important step in expanding its strategic partnerships with various entities in both the public and private sectors. He noted that this approach helps achieve greater integration among the different vital sectors in our beloved Kuwait and reflects a shared commitment to providing outstanding services that enhance the customer experience and support the national economy.”

Al-Faqaan concluded: “At Kuwait Airways, we can only extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to everyone who contributed to hosting this distinguished event. We wish everyone success, football fans an enjoyable experience, and our beloved country further progress and prosperity under the leadership of H.H. the Amir of the State of Kuwait and H.H. the Crown Prince.”

Faisal Al-Yateem said in his statement: “It gives me great pleasure to be with you today at this conference, on behalf of my colleagues, the Chairman and members of the Higher Committee for Major Sporting Events in the State of Kuwait, to express our pride in the cooperation between the public and private sectors in supporting and sponsoring major sporting events. Among these is Kuwait’s hosting of the French Super Cup, scheduled to be held in January next year. This prominent sporting event reflects the confidence that international sports institutions place in Kuwait’s ability to organize tournaments in line with the highest levels and global standards.”

He added: “This hosting comes as a continuation of our country’s approach to cementing the role of sport as a promising industry and a vital economic driver that helps propel sustainable growth, in addition to its key role in supporting sports diplomacy and strengthening Kuwait’s presence and standing on the global map as a qualified destination capable of competing to attract and host major sporting events.”

He continued: “At the Higher Committee for Major Sporting Events, chaired by H.E. the Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Abdulrahman Bedah Al-Mutairi, we are working to develop an integrated ecosystem of national capabilities in the fields of organisation and innovation, and to provide an exceptional experience for athletes and fans alike.”

He added: “We also affirm today that hosting the French Super Cup marks the starting point of an ambitious calendar of continental and international tournaments that the Committee is working to deliver, to reinforce Kuwait’s position as a regional and international sports hub. This agenda includes the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship, which qualifies for the 2027 World Championship in Germany and is scheduled to take place from 15 to 29 January 2026 with the participation of 15 Asian national teams, in addition to the World Powerboat Championship, which Kuwait successfully hosted last November and which received extensive coverage in international media.”

He concluded: “Hosting the French Super Cup is not merely a sporting occasion. It is a gateway to promising opportunities in sports investment, expanding international cooperation, and strengthening Kuwait’s position on the global sports map as a destination worthy of trust and confidence. In closing, we extend our sincere thanks to all our partners on this journey, and we hope to deliver a highly distinguished edition that meets our aspirations, befits the name of our country, and reflects its ambition and leadership.”

Zain allocates a dedicated flight to take fans to Kuwait’s match against Jordan

Because the fans are the heartbeat of the game, Zain is keen to stand with them at every step. In this spirit, Zain Vice Chairman and Group CEO Bader Al-Kharafi announced during the press conference that a special flight will be arranged, in cooperation with the Kuwait Football Association, to transport Al Azraq supporters to Doha to cheer on the national team in its group stage match against Jordan in the Arab Cup on Saturday, 6 December.

Last week, the company accompanied Kuwait’s national team fans to Doha on special flights organized in collaboration with the Kuwait Football Association and Kuwait Airways to support Al Azraq in the decisive qualifying match for the Arab Cup. Zain shared their joy of qualification from the stands and presented a living example of the private sector’s role in bringing fans closer to their favorite teams.

The fact that Kuwait is hosting this prestigious event reflects the country’s growing status on the map of major international tournaments. It also demonstrates the confidence in Kuwait’s organizational capabilities and sports infrastructure, led by Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the region with a capacity of around 60,000 spectators, which has already hosted many prominent regional competitions.

Since the onset of Zain’s long-term strategic partnership with the Kuwait Football Association, the company has set a clear objective for this collaboration to serve as a model of integration between the private sector and national sports institutions, in order to develop Kuwaiti football and strengthen its presence in regional and international competitions.

Zain does not regard this event as merely an international match being played on Kuwaiti soil. Rather, the company sees it as a new opportunity to transfer professional experiences to youth, inspire a new generation of players and fans, and ignite football passion among Kuwaiti and Gulf families who will fill the stands of Jaber Stadium on that night.