Zamalek match brought forward for Handball Club World Cup group-stage opener

The organising committee for the Handball Club World Cup has changed the time of the match involving the winner of Zamalek’s preliminary-round tie against Los Angeles.

Zamalek face American side Los Angeles on the opening night of the competition in a preliminary match for a place in the group stage. The fixture is scheduled for 20:00.

The winner will then face Morocco’s Forum Derb Sultan in the opening match of Group A. Organisers said that game had been moved to 15:30 instead of 13:30 on Friday.

The published fixture schedule lists Forum Derb Sultan against Zamalek, should the Egyptian side qualify, at 13:15 on 25 September.

If Zamalek progress, they will join Group A alongside Spanish club Barcelona, Brazilian side Pinheiros and Forum Derb Sultan.

Egypt will host the tournament from 24 September to 1 October 2026, with 10 clubs taking part. Matches will be played at the New Administrative Capital Hall.

Zamalek are competing in the Handball Club World Cup, also known as the Super Globe, with a 22-man squad.

Their squad is:

Goalkeepers: Hisham El-Sobky, Mohamed Sami, Youssef Nagy.

Left wings: Mohamed Moamen Safa “Dody”, Belal Massoud.

Left backs: Hassan Kaddah, Yehia El-Kourdy, Mohamed Abdelghany, Mahmoud Ali.

Playmakers: Omar Sadeq “Bebo”, Hamza Tawkel, Ziad Hashad.

Right wings: Akram Yousry, Abdelrahman Ashraf “Bodi”.

Right backs: Ahmed Hossam, Mostafa Bashir, Youssef Amr, Mohamed Adlan.

Pivots: Shady Khalil, Bejad Marwan, Hassan Ahmed, Ali Madbouly.

Al Ahly are taking part as league champions and tournament hosts, while Zamalek received a wild card. Al Ahly are in Group B, whereas Zamalek must come through the preliminary round before joining Group A.

Group A consists of Barcelona, Pinheiros, Forum Derb Sultan and the winner of Zamalek v Los Angeles.

Group B contains Al Ahly, German club Fuchse Berlin, Kuwaiti side Barqan and the winner of Veszprem v University of Sydney.

The preliminary-round fixtures are University of Sydney v Veszprem at 17:30 and Los Angeles v Zamalek at 20:00. Both matches are listed for 24 September.

On 25 September, Forum Derb Sultan will play Zamalek if they qualify at 13:15, while Al Ahly face the winner of preliminary tie two at 20:45.

On 27 September, Barcelona play Zamalek if they qualify at 15:30, and Al Ahly meet Barqan at 20:00.

On 29 September, Zamalek, should they advance, face Pinheiros at 13:15. Fuchse Berlin then play Al Ahly at 20:00.

The classification matches and final take place on 1 October. The seventh-place play-off is at 12:30, the fifth-place match at 15:00, the third-place match at 17:30 and the final at 20:00.