Why Salisbury FC are considered 'bigger than many Premier League teams' in Kuwait
Sixth-tier side Salisbury FC are currently on a unique tour in Kuwait, where the club enjoys immense popularity thanks to owner Ali Alhamad's vision.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Author: grassrootsgroundswell
National League South side Salisbury FC have embarked on a unique five-day tour to Kuwait. Despite competing in the sixth tier of English football, the club receives massive support in the region, which owner Ali Alhamad claims makes them more popular than many Premier League teams.
Alhamad, who purchased the club in 2025, views the trip as a key part of his strategy to tap into new commercial markets. Salisbury already boasts several Kuwaiti sponsors, and their official Arabic-language Instagram account has almost as many followers as their primary English profile.
The tour includes a friendly match against one of Kuwait's most successful clubs, Al Qadsia. Beyond the football, the Salisbury squad is engaging with the local community, visiting schools, universities, and hosting Q&A sessions to explain the operations of an English football club.
Alhamad believes that expanding beyond their local town is essential for the club's future. "Simply throwing money at a club to gain promotion is fool's gold. The right way is to build the structure from the bottom up and reach out to markets that are thirsty for English football," he explains.
The team is scheduled to return to England on Thursday, shifting their focus immediately to Saturday's FA Cup third qualifying round clash against Dulwich Hamlet. The match will be the first major test of the season upon their return, serving as a reminder that the club remains deeply committed to its local community in Salisbury.