2023 IHF Men's Super Globe lineup confirmed

28 Aug. 2023

With the conclusion of the 38th edition of the Men’s Arab Handball Championship of Champions in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, and Al-Kuwait’s maiden win in the competition, the lineup for the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, due to take place in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, between 7 and 12 November, is now complete.

Al-Kuwait joined 11 other sides which were already qualified for the competition, as the IHF Men’s Super Globe will be played for the second consecutive edition with 12 teams at the start, underlining the development of handball throughout the Globe.

The reigning champions, German powerhouse SC Magdeburg, were the first team to seal their place in the 17th edition of the IHF Men’s Super Globe, as they will aim to become only the second team in history after FC Barcelona to seal the title in three consecutive editions.

Three other European sides will take part in the competition, making two continents – Europe and Asia – the best represented at the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, with four teams each.

As Magdeburg were also the Machineseeker EHF Champions League winners, the corresponding spot went to Polish powerhouse, KS Kielce, the runners-up in the European top competition. Kielce, which finished third in 2016 and in 2022, will take part for the third time at the IHF Men’s Super Globe.

Two other European sides received wild cards for the competition, with Füchse Berlin, the winners of the EHF European League Men returning to the Super Globe for the first time since 2018, having always played the final in the past four appearances.

The most decorated team in the history of the IHF Men’s Super Globe, FC Barcelona, with five titles, two silver medals and one bronze medal, have also received a wild card, extending their streak of consecutive appearances to six editions, aiming to seal a place in the final once again, as in the previous five editions.

Bahraini club Al-Najma are making a return to the IHF Men’s Super Globe after finishing seventh in 2018, after winning the 2023 Asian Men's Club League Handball Championship, due to an outstanding 31:30 win in the final against Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Al-Kuwait’s win against Zamalek SC in the 2023 Men’s Arab Handball Championship of Champions ensured that the Kuwaiti side will have back-to-back appearances at the IHF Men’s Super Globe, after they ended up on the ninth place last season.

The Asian representatives in the competition will be joined by two Saudi sides, as hosts, with Al-Noor and Khaleej featuring as hosts at the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, as both sides have previous experience in the competition

San Francisco CalHeat will represent the United States of America for the second time at the IHF Men’s Super Globe after they swept their opponents at the 2023 NACHC Club Championship, University of Queensland delivered a flawless performance throughout 2023 Oceania & Australian Club Championships, sealing their first-ever title in the continental competition and subsequently qualifying for the 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe, becoming the third Australian team in history to play in the competition.

Egyptian powerhouse Al-Ahly also sealed a spot for the competition, taking part for the second edition in a row, after their win in the CAHB African Super Cup, while San Fernando HB make their debut, after shocking their opponents in the 2023 South and Central American Men's Club Handball Championship.

The 2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe will take place between 7 and 12 November, in the Dammam Sports Hall in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

2023 IHF Men’s Super Globe participants