Kuwait takes center stage as it hosts the French Super Cup today

By Shouq AlMulla
Special to the Times Kuwait

On the eve of the French Super Cup (Trophée des Champions), set to be hosted today at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, the Embassy of France in Kuwait organized a Franco-Kuwaiti reception bringing together sport, business, and diplomacy, setting the stage for one of the most high-profile sporting events to be held in the country.

Held in cooperation with the Business France Trade Office and several Kuwaiti partners, the reception gathered nearly 100 French and Kuwaiti business leaders, investors, and decision-makers active across the sports economy and international event management sector.

The reception also served as a platform for dialogue among decision-makers to identify concrete opportunities for cooperation. Discussions included plans for technical visits, feasibility studies, and future commercial missions, illustrating sustained interest from French companies in the Kuwaiti market and reinforcing the business dimension underpinning the sporting occasion.

Participants represented a wide range of sectors connected to the sports industry, including major event organization, sports infrastructure, digital and technological solutions, athlete health, and hospitality. Together, these exchanges highlighted how sport has evolved beyond competition into a strategic economic sector and a catalyst for long-term partnerships.

Addressing guests, David Abdelkader-Corrihons, Second Counsellor at the French Embassy in Kuwait, emphasized France’s commitment to acting as a long-term partner to Kuwait in developing modern sports infrastructure and professional sports ecosystems. He noted that hosting major international events such as the French Super Cup demonstrates how sport serves as “a powerful driver of international attractiveness, global visibility, and people-to-people connections,” encouraging stakeholders to pursue future-oriented, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Speaking on the sidelines of the reception, Alessandro Antonello, Chief Executive Officer of Olympique de Marseille, expressed his pleasure at being in Kuwait for the occasion, noting the country’s growing presence on the international sports stage. He said he looks forward to further engagement with Kuwaiti counterparts in sports-related business, stressing the importance of sustainable cooperation and highlighting the value of mutual learning and collaboration.

For his part, Didier Domi, French coach and former international footballer, praised Kuwait’s hospitality and its strong passion for football, stressing that before being a sport, football is a humanitarian force—one that brings people together across cultures and backgrounds, reflecting the unifying spirit behind the occasion.

Created in 1995, the French Super Cup brings together the French league champion and the winner of the Coupe de France and is widely regarded as one of the most prominent fixtures in international football. The match will be broadcast on more than 122 satellite channels worldwide, giving Kuwait significant global visibility and reinforcing its growing presence on the international sports map.

Public enthusiasm surrounding the event has been strong, with ticket reservations reaching approximately 90 percent. Fans attending the match will also experience a full entertainment program, including a special 12-minute musical performance at 8:00 pm presented in both Arabic and French, featuring international artist Cheb Khaled alongside Kuwaiti artists, creating an atmosphere that reflects the cultural exchange celebrated on the occasion.

The Embassy of France in Kuwait and the Business France Trade Office expressed their appreciation to the partners whose support made the reception possible, each of which highlighted the growing role of sport as a driver of national image, economic growth, and innovation.

The event formed part of a broader momentum in strengthening Franco-Kuwaiti relations, building on last year, which witnessed several high-level bilateral exchanges. In 2026, both countries will celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, alongside more than two centuries of historical friendship.