Bahrain Clinches Historic Asian Handball Crown With Victory Over Qatar

Bahrain’s national handball team claimed a landmark triumph on the continental stage after defeating Qatar 29–26 to win the 22nd Asian Handball Championship 2026, held in the State of Kuwait. The victory also secured Bahrain’s qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Germany.

Bahrain held a narrow advantage at half-time, leading 14–11, before Qatar fought back in the second half to level the score at 24–24 at the end of regulation time. The final was decided in extra time, where Bahrain displayed greater composure and tactical discipline to seal a memorable win.

The title marks a historic breakthrough for Bahraini handball, coming after five previous appearances in the final in 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022, all of which ended in runner-up finishes. The long-awaited victory reflects years of sustained development, commitment and resilience within the national programme.

Beyond the continental crown, Bahrain also strengthened its international standing by qualifying for the Handball World Championship for the eighth consecutive time. The achievement highlights the team’s consistent performance at the highest level of Asian competition and underscores that the championship success is the result of long-term planning, institutional support and strong sporting ambition.