KUWAIT CITY, Aug 8: The title holder Kuwait Club and Al-Qadisiya will kick off the 63rd edition of the Zain Premier League at 8:30 pm today, facing off at the Friendship and Peace Stadium in the tournament's first round. The round continues tomorrow with two matches. Yarmouk and Al-Tadamon will meet at Abdullah Al-Khalifa Stadium at 7:05 pm, followed by Khaitan against Al-Fahaheel at Nasser Al-Osaimi Stadium at 9:29 pm.

The round concludes the day after tomorrow with two matches. Al-Arabi will play Kazma at 7:05 pm at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium, and Al-Salmiya will face Al-Nasr at the Friendship and Peace Stadium at 9:29 pm. Kuwait Club has the most championships, having won the tournament 19 times. Rivals Al-Qadisiya and Al-Arabi each have 17 titles, while Kazma and Al-Jahra have won the title four and one times, respectively.

This season, the tournament starts earlier than usual, typically beginning in late August or early September. The early start is due to Kuwait’s commitments in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with matches scheduled for September, October, and November. Additionally, Kuwait will host the "Gulf 26" from December 21 to January 3, pausing competitions in early November for the Gulf Championship.

All eyes will be on the Friendship and Peace Stadium in Adailiya tonight for the "hot" match between Al-Qadisiya and Kuwait Club, the highlight of this round's matches. Fans are eagerly anticipating an exciting game, given the talent in both teams, including local players and professionals.

Kuwait Club has dominated recent seasons, winning four out of the last five league matches against Al-Qadisiya, with one draw. Al-Qadisiya's last victory over Kuwait Club was in May 2021 with a 3-1 scoreline. This match holds significant importance for both teams. A win would provide great motivation and a psychological edge, especially for Al-Qadisiya, who has struggled against Kuwait in recent years. For Kuwait Club, it’s an opportunity to reaffirm its superiority and show that its success is no fluke.

Hassan Musa

Al/Seyassah/Arab Times Staff