FWZ, led by Kuwaiti content creator Fawaz Alshammari, reached a major milestone at the Kings League Club World Cup 2026 in Milan by knocking out Spanish side Porcinos FC on penalties to secure their first-ever victory at the tournament.
The team from Kuwait defeated one of the competition’s leading title contenders 4-1 in a shootout after a tightly contested match, eliminating one of the most successful and popular clubs in the Kings League. The result underlined the growing influence of teams from the Middle East and North Africa at this global seven-a-side event.
The win comes only days after Saudi team DR7 recorded a historic victory over the defending champions at the start of their own campaign, further highlighting the rapid progress of the region’s representatives on the world stage of this emerging format.
Milan hosts 2026 Kings League Club World Cup
The Italian city of Milan is staging the 2026 edition of the Kings League Club World Cup from 26 July to 1 August, with 16 teams from Kings League competitions around the globe competing for the world title in seven-a-side football.
The tournament is played under the Kings League’s distinctive, innovative rules, which are designed to blend high-tempo competition with entertainment and strong fan interaction. Milan serves as the latest international platform for the fast-growing concept, bringing together clubs that have qualified from various national and regional versions of the league.
FWZ’s success against Porcinos FC adds another notable chapter for the Middle East and North Africa contingent at this year’s event, reinforcing the sense of momentum ahead of a major expansion of the project in the region.
Full Kings League season set for Middle East launch
The FWZ victory coincides with preparations for the first full season of Kings League – Middle East, which will be held in Riyadh from 18 September to 30 October.
The new regional competition, created through a strategic partnership between Kings League and sports investment company SRJ Sports Investments, will feature 10 teams and all matches will be played at COOL Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City.
After the success of the inaugural edition, the number of participating teams has been increased from eight to 10. The upcoming season will consist of 11 rounds, followed by a Final Four stage to determine the champions.
Pique’s concept continues global expansion
Kings League, founded by former Spain and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, is an innovative seven-a-side football competition that combines elite sporting elements with content creation and digital entertainment.
The league is based on unconventional rules and heavy audience engagement, and has quickly built a global following through its mix of football and online culture. In a short period, the project has expanded into several countries with localised leagues and has introduced both club and national team World Cups, making it one of the fastest-growing sports properties worldwide.
Kings League in the Middle East and North Africa is the regional version of the global competition, created under the strategic partnership between Kings League and SRJ Sports Investments. Its aim is to deliver a new kind of football experience for fans in the region, rooted in the model devised by Pique.
The MENA league applies the same core idea of reimagining football through innovative rules, a seven-a-side format and teams chaired by leading content creators and influencers from across the region. By fusing sport, entertainment and digital culture, Kings League – Middle East seeks to offer a highly interactive, modern way of following football that reflects the expectations of a new generation of supporters.
