Veszprém ended the IHF Men’s Club World Championship as champions, but the tournament in Egypt finished with an Egyptian presence running throughout the entire top four.

The Hungarian side beat Barcelona 42-33 in the final to claim their second world club title, while Al Ahly defeated Zamalek 30-25 for bronze.

The final top four therefore read: Veszprém, Barcelona, Al Ahly and Zamalek.

Five Egyptians across the finalists

Egypt’s representation went far beyond its two domestic giants.

Veszprém’s squad includes Yehia Elderaa, Ali Zein, Ahmed Hesham “Dodo” and Ahmed Adel, while fellow Egyptian international Seif Elderaa plays for Barcelona, leaving five Egyptians across the two clubs that contested the world final.

There was another Egyptian connection on the Veszprém bench: the Hungarian champions are coached by Xavier Pascual, who is also Egypt’s national-team head coach.

Veszprém’s emphatic victory also avenged their narrow defeat to Barcelona in last year’s final.

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Al Ahly and Zamalek complete the top four

Al Ahly secured their third podium finish in the competition, adding the 2026 bronze to their 2007 silver and 2024 bronze.

Zamalek finished fourth, their best Club World Championship placing in 14 years.

Al Ahly’s run also included an impressive 30-27 victory over German champions Füchse Berlin before their Egyptian derby win over Zamalek in the bronze-medal match.

Three Egyptians named among tournament’s best

Egyptian influence extended to the individual awards as well.

The IHF named Veszprém’s Ahmed Hesham as the tournament’s best left back, Al Ahly’s Mohamed Hesham as best centre back/playmaker and Zamalek youngster Youssef Ahmed as best right back in the competition’s All-Star team.

The trophy itself did not go to an Egyptian club.

But with four Egyptians at the champions, another at runners-up Barcelona, Al Ahly and Zamalek occupying third and fourth, and three Egyptians selected in the tournament’s best team, Egypt’s handball presence was visible at virtually every level of the final standings.