Handball Club World Cup 2026: Dates and draw confirmed as Al Ahly and Zamalek learn routes in Egypt-hosted Super Globe

Egypt will host the 2026 IHF Super Globe from 24 September to 1 October, with Al Ahly and Zamalek representing the country in a 10-team Handball Club World Cup staged at the New Administrative Capital Indoor Hall.

Tournament organiser United Media Company has announced the full match schedule and group-stage draw for the event, which brings together leading club sides from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Al Ahly go into the competition as Egyptian league champions and official hosts, while Zamalek have been handed a wildcard invitation. Al Ahly start directly in the group phase in Group B, whereas Zamalek must progress through a preliminary round to reach Group A.

If Zamalek win their opening play-off match, they will join a Group A line-up headed by European giants Barcelona. Al Ahly, meanwhile, will face German side Fuchse Berlin and Kuwait’s Burgan in Group B, plus the winner of another preliminary tie.

Group-stage line-up

The draw has placed the following clubs in Group A: – Barcelona (Spain) – Pinheiros (Brazil) – Forum Derb Sultan (Morocco) – Winner of Zamalek (Egypt) v Los Angeles (USA)

Group B will feature: – Al Ahly (Egypt) – Fuchse Berlin (Germany) – Burgan (Kuwait) – Winner of Telekom Veszprem (Hungary) v University of Sydney (Australia)

All matches will be played at the New Administrative Capital Indoor Hall, with fixtures spread across preliminary, group and placement stages before the final on 1 October.

Preliminary round – 24 September

The tournament begins with two qualifying ties that will determine the final team in each group.

On 24 September: – University of Sydney (Australia) v Telekom Veszprem (Hungary) – 17:30 – Los Angeles (USA) v Zamalek – 20:00

The winner of University of Sydney v Telekom Veszprem will advance into Group B alongside Al Ahly, Fuchse Berlin and Burgan. The winner of Los Angeles v Zamalek will move into Group A with Barcelona, Pinheiros and Forum Derb Sultan.

Early fixtures for Al Ahly and potential Zamalek path

The schedule on 25 September includes Zamalek’s possible first group match and Al Ahly’s opening outing, both dependent on the preliminary results.

On 25 September: – Forum Derb Sultan (Morocco) v Zamalek, if Zamalek progress – 13:15 – Al Ahly v winner of play-off 2 (Los Angeles v Zamalek) – 20:45

Zamalek’s path in Group A, should they qualify, would include meetings with both Barcelona and Pinheiros later in the week.

On 27 September: – Barcelona (Spain) v Zamalek, if Zamalek progress – 15:30 – Al Ahly v Burgan (Kuwait) – 20:00

On 29 September: – Zamalek, if still in contention, v Pinheiros (Brazil) – 13:15 – Fuchse Berlin (Germany) v Al Ahly – 20:00

These fixtures will determine which teams advance to the latter stages and which drop into placement matches.

Final day schedule

The competition will conclude on 1 October with a full classification programme followed by the title match.

On 1 October: – 7th–8th place play-off – 12:30 – 5th–6th place play-off – 15:00 – 3rd–4th place play-off – 17:30 – Final – 20:00

The winners of the final will lift the IHF Super Globe trophy at the end of a week-long event in Egypt that features two domestic heavyweights, Al Ahly and Zamalek, alongside established international clubs such as Barcelona, Telekom Veszprem and Fuchse Berlin.