SL Benfica were the runners-up in the Men’s EHF Challenge Cup twice, in the 2010/11 and the 2015/16 seasons, failing to produce a piece of European silverware throughout their history. Last season, however, the Portuguese side had one of their best-ever seasons, with a fairy tale performance in the EHF European League Men, where they started from the bottom and reached the stars.

Hosts Mudhar will get their third taste of the IHF Men’s Super Globe, after having already finished seventh in 2012 and 2019. A strong outing will be required, though, as they face Egyptian side Al Ahly and Portuguese powerhouse SL Benfica, the winners of the EHF European League Men, in the group phase.

Handball has been getting more and more attention in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the last years, as highlighted by the appointment of former French star Didier Dinart as the men’s national team coach, who served for four months in the post.

Therefore, it was just normal that club teams started to focus on development, with one of the only ways to progress being to usher in talent from abroad – to set an example and try to grow the level organically.

Only two sides from Kuwait took part in the IHF Men's Super Globe in competition history, Al-Salmiya in 2002 and Al-Qadsiya in 2007. However, after a 15-year wait, another side from Kuwait is back in business in the competition, with Al-Kuwait making their debut this year.