Al-Salhiyah crowned champions, while Al-Sahil joins the Premier League
The first-division Zenith League concluded with Al-Salmiya Club crowned champions, after they secured a 1-0 victory over Al-Jazeera in their head-to-head match during the final 21st round of the tournament. Al-Salmiya benefited from Al-Sahel’s 3-2 defeat to Al-Yarmouk, allowing them to clinch first place on head-to-head records despite both teams finishing level on 44 points each at the end of the season. Al-Salmiya and Al-Sahel thus secured direct promotion to the Zenith Premier League, which kicks off on the 25th, completing the 12-team lineup that will compete for the top-flight title in the new season. This edition features the highest number of local clubs participating in the two-tier league system since its inception, following the Kuwait Football Association’s decision to increase the number of participating teams to boost competitiveness and gradually elevate the league’s status, after previously eliminating the relegation of two teams from the Premier Division.
Regarding the first division, six teams are confirmed for next season’s competition, with the possibility of expanding to around eight clubs as the participation of the Interior Ministry club nears approval.
Final standings at the end of the first division: Al-Salmiya and Al-Sahel topped the table with 44 points each, followed by Al-Yarmouk in third with 43 points, Al-Jazeera fourth with 38 points, Khaitan fifth with 24 points, Burqan sixth with 23 points, Al-Shamya seventh with 10 points, and Spor ty last with 6 points.
◄ Al-Abyad announces departure of Tunisian assistant coach
Kuwait Club announced the departure of Tunisian assistant coach Karim Chedly from the first-team technical staff, after a long tenure with the club during which he helped secure a record number of titles as part of the coaching staff. Chedly joined the technical setup when his compatriot Nabil Maâloul was appointed head coach, and remained with the team through subsequent managerial changes, including the appointment of Portuguese coach Alexandre Santos, who will lead the squad in the new season.
◄ Release of fixtures for the opening rounds of the Premier League
The Kuwait Football Association announced the schedule for the opening rounds of the Zenith Premier League, which begins on the 25th with a marquee clash between Kuwait and Al-Arabi at Ali Al-Salim Stadium in Al-Nasr Club. In the second match of the opening day, Al-Fahaheel will face Al-Qadsia at Naif Al-Dabous Stadium. On the second day, Al-Salmiya will play Al-Nasr at Thamer Stadium, while Al-Shabab and Al-Jahra will meet at Al-Shabab Club Stadium. The round concludes on the 27th with matches between Kazma and Tadamon at the Friendship and Peace Stadium, and Al-Sahel versus Al-Salmiya at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium in Al-Yarmouk Club.
