The 65th Edition of 'Al-Mumtaz' Kicks Off with an Early Summit for Kuwait and the Arab League

The 65th edition of the Zain Premier League for the 2026-2027 sports season kicks off today (Tuesday) with two matches. Al-Kuwait will face Al-Arabi at 6:45 p.m. at Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, while Al-Fahaheel will take on Al-Qadsia at 9:00 p.m. at Nayef Al-Dabous Stadium.

Undoubtedly, the season’s opening clash between Al-Kuwait and Al-Arabi, a heavyweight fixture, will ignite passion in both squads as they strive to secure the three points and start the new campaign with a valuable victory. The last meeting between the two sides in the Premier League ended in a 3-2 win for Al-Kuwait.

Al-Kuwait’s management was satisfied with the two seasons overseen by Montenegrin coach Nebojsa, who led the Whites to six titles. He was subsequently replaced by Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent due to dissatisfaction with his performance. The club then appointed former Al-Fahaheel coach Syrian-born Firas Al-Khatib.

Al-Kuwait prepared for the tournament through a training camp in London, which included five friendly matches against English clubs, most notably Brighton, Portsmouth, and Milton Keynes.

Coach Firas Al-Khatib aims to achieve several objectives today, the first being a victory and securing three crucial points to launch his tenure with the new team successfully, as they defend their title. The second goal is to prove he is worthy of the trust placed in him by Al-Kuwait’s officials.

Al-Khatib possesses several winning cards capable of making a difference, including goalkeepers Khaled Al-Rashidi and Saud Al-Houshan, and players Ali Hussein, Youssef Nasser, Mohammed Daham, Amr Abdel Fattah, and Mohammed Marhoon.

Al-Kuwait signed Brazilian player Carlos after failing to extend the contract of Dumbia, while also securing heavyweight domestic deals by attracting promising rising star Abdullah Al-Qarzai and striker Salman Al-Awadi, both from Al-Arabi, along with defender Hassan Hamdan.

Meanwhile, Al-Arabi prepared for the season through a training camp in Turkey, featuring four friendly matches: three against Turkish clubs and one against Egyptian side Pyramids. The team also played East Bengal in the second round of the AFC Champions League playoffs, losing 4-1.

On his part, Al-Arabi’s coach Goran Sablic, who took over from Nasser Al-Shatti, hopes to secure a victory, especially since a loss would put him under immediate pressure following the defeat to East Bengal, as well as to regain the confidence of the board and fans.

Sablic relies on Al-Arabi’s star and best player, Nigerian Iwuala, alongside Ethiopian Kian Maliko, Hussein Al-Murshed, Abdulwahab Al-Awadi, and new signing Ali Al-Dokhi, to lead his teammates today. Conversely, this match could be the last for Senegalese player Khadim Rasoul, Palestinian Zaid Qanbar, and Brazilian Sheldon.

The second match, featuring Al-Fahaheel against Al-Qadsia, is no less important than the first, particularly as the Yellow fans aspire to reclaim the title that has eluded the club since the 2015-2016 season.

Al-Qadsia prepared for the Premier League through an overseas camp in Turkey, which included five trial matches under the leadership of returning coach Mohammed Ibrahim, whom fans consider a lifeline, given his deep understanding of the club’s dynamics.

As for Al-Fahaheel, their preparation involved a successful training camp in Alexandria, Egypt, featuring four strong matches against Egyptian clubs.

It is certain that Al-Fahaheel’s coach, Sewilla, will be under pressure when compared to Al-Khatib. He is well aware that he must deliver the expected results, starting with today’s difficult encounter against Al-Qadsia.

The club’s administration, under the presidency of Hamad Al-Dabous, spared no effort in strengthening the squad by signing Cape Verdean player Alvin Fortes, Brazilian player Calixto, South African player Ranga, Ethiopian player Gatosh Banum, alongside the team’s star and top scorer, Vitor Da Silva.

For the first time, 12 clubs are participating in the Premier League in its 65th edition, following the abolition of relegation in the previous 2025–2026 season.

The participating clubs are Al-Kuwait, Al-Arabi, Al-Qadsia, Kazma, Fahaheel, Al-Nasr, Al-Shabab, Al-Tadamun, Al-Salmiya, and Al-Sahel, with the latter two recently qualifying for the competition by finishing first and second in the First Division.

The 65th edition of the Premier League will feature only two groups, after the third stage—the “play-off” phase—was canceled. This phase previously included a championship group to determine the titleholder and a relegation group to identify the two teams relegated to the First Division.

The decision to eliminate the third stage was due to time constraints caused by multiple interruptions in the schedule, primarily because the Kuwait national team participated in Gulf Cup 27 from September 23 to October 6, 2026, and the 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled from January 7 to February 5, 2027, both of which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.