Iran to face Bahrain in pre-Asian Handball Championship friendlies
Iran will play two friendly matches against Bahrain in Manama today and on Thursday as both teams prepare for the upcoming Asian Men’s Handball Championship, which begins in Kuwait on January 15.
At the 22nd edition of the continental championship, Iran has been drawn in Group D alongside two-time champion Japan – runner-up to Qatar in 2024 – four-time bronze medalist Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
Iran opens its campaign against Saudi Arabia on the first day of competition, followed by a match against Australia two days later. The group stage concludes on January 19 with a clash against Japan – a rematch of their main-round encounter in the previous edition, which Japan narrowly won 25-23.
The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the main round, where they will be divided into two groups of four.
Led by Spanish head coach Rafael Guijosa Castillo, Iran will be aiming to rebound from a disappointing campaign at November’s Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, where losses to Qatar (39-23) and the UAE (28-25) – either side of a 57-14 victory over the Maldives – left Iran third in its group and out of semifinal contention.
As if added motivation were needed, World Championship berths will be up for grabs in Kuwait, with the four semi-finalists securing qualification for the 2027 showpiece in Germany.