2027 World Men's Handball Championship| Handball-Weltmeisterschaft der Männer 2027 (in German) |
|---|
Where handball is alive |
|
| Host country | Germany |
|---|
| Venues | 6 (in 6 host cities) |
|---|
| Dates | 13–31 January |
|---|
| Teams | 32 (from 5 confederations) |
|---|
|
The 2027 IHF Men's Handball World Championship will be the 30th edition of the IHF World Men's Handball Championship, the biennial international handball championship organised under the aegis of IHF for the men's national teams across the world. The tournament will be held from 13 to 31 January 2027.[1]
The championship will be hosted by Germany, with six venues across the country being for the tournament.[2] The final will be held at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.
For the fourth time, 32 teams will take part, following the expansion in 2021. Continental championships acted as qualification, with the exception of Europe, who also use their own qualification process alongside the European Championship. As hosts, Germany automatically qualified. as Qualifiers took place between October 2025 and May 2026.
This tournament will act as a qualifier for the 2028 Summer Olympics, as the winners will automatically qualify for the games. Alongside that, six spots in the Olympics qualifying tournaments will be allocated via this event.
Denmark is the four time defending champion, most recently beating Croatia in the 2025 final in Bærum.
Bidding process
Five nations expressed interest in hosting the tournament. The awarding of the events took place at the next IHF Council meeting in
Cairo, Egypt, on 28 February 2020.[3][4]
At the meeting, Germany was chosen as the host after the other bids withdrew. This will be the eighth time Germany will host this tournament, after 1958 and 1974 as East Germany, 1961 and 1982 as West Germany, and 1938, 2007 and 2019 as a unified country. This marks the first time the event will be held in a single country since 2021.
Qualification
The World Championship hosts were directly qualified, along with the reigning world champions.
The number of compulsory places awarded to other continental confederation remained unchanged. In regards to the 12 performance spots, and based on the results of the 2025 Men's World Championship, Europe receives 10 more spots, while Africa and South and Central America takes 1.
The slot allocation was as follows:
- AHF (Asia): 4 slots
- CAHB (Africa): 5 slots
- EHF (Europe): 10 slots (including hosts Germany)
- NACHC (North America and the Caribbean): 1 slot
- OCHF (Oceania): 0 slots
- SCAHC (South and Central America): 4 slots
- Wildcards: 2 slots
| Detailed summary of qualification process
|
| Confederation
|
Direct slots
|
Teams started
|
Teams eliminated
|
Teams qualified
|
Percentage of entered teams with spots in finals
|
Qualifying start date
|
Qualifying end date
|
| AHF |
4 |
16 |
12 |
4 |
25% |
15 January 2026 |
29 January 2026
|
| CAHB |
5 |
16 |
11 |
5 |
31.25% |
21 January 2026 |
31 January 2026
|
| EHF[A] |
14 |
36 |
20 |
14+1+1 |
44.4% |
29 October 2025 |
17 May 2026
|
| NACHC |
1 |
TBD |
TBD |
1+1 |
16.67% |
11 May 2026 |
17 May 2026
|
| OCHF[B] |
0 or 1 |
1[C] |
1 |
0 |
6.25% |
11 January 2024 |
25 January 2024
|
| SCAHC |
4 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
67% |
19 January 2026 |
24 January 2026
|
| Total |
29 |
TBD |
46 |
27+1+2 |
|
29 October 2025 |
17 May 2026
|
Qualifying occurred between October 2025 and May 2026. Each region's continental championships acted as world championship qualification, although Europe also has its own qualification process. With the exception of Belarus and Russia, who are banned of the IHF due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all remaining IHF member associations were eligible to enter qualification. In total, 81 nations have entered the continental championships and European qualifiers, which act as world championship qualification.
Qualified teams
Preparations
Tickets
Tickets were released at 12:00 CET on 15 December 2025, after the 2025 World Women's Handball Championship final.[5]
Logo unveiling
On 3 November 2025, the logo was unveiled.[6] The slogan for the tournament was also announced, with it being "Where handball is alive". Mark Schober, CEO of the German Handball Federation, said the following:
"With the 2027 World Championship, we want to revive the enthusiasm of the Winter Fairytale – with a tournament that inspires sporting excitement, connects emotionally, and showcases handball in all its facets, The arenas are places steeped in handball tradition. They stand for passion, closeness to the fans, and the special atmosphere that makes our sport so unique."
Venues
At the presentation during the IHF Council Meeting in Cairo, Egypt on 27 and 28 February 2020 the bid delegation presented eight venues.[7] Six venues were ultimately announced in October 2024, with the opening match to be played in Munich and the final in Cologne.[8] Andreas Michelmann, the president of the German Handball Federation, said that tradition was behind the venue selection, with place like Hanover, Kiel and Magdeburg being chosen. Berlin, Manheim, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Leipzig, who were all proposed cities, didn't make the cut. Cologne, Kiel, Magdeburg, Munich have experience hosting the men's world championship, while Stuttgart have experience with the women's edition. Hanover will host a major handball championship for the first time, having originally been part of Germany's bid for the 2024 European Men's Handball Championship before being excluded.
Overview of venues
- The Lanxess Arena in Cologne is one of the biggest indoor venues in Germany and boasts 19,250 seats. The venue is accustomed to hosting prestigious events, previously organising the 2001, 2010 and 2017 IIHF World Championship and EuroBasket 2022. Handball-wise, it has hosted every EHF Final Four since its inception in 2010.[9]
- The SAP Garden in Munich is a newly built arena, that replaced the Olympiahalle. Housing 11,000 seats, the venue was planned to host the 2024 European Men's Handball Championship but this didn't happen due delays in construction. This will therefore be the first major championship in any sport held in this arena.[10]
- The Wunderino Arena in Kiel, home to powerhouse THW Kiel, will return to hosting a major handball championship. Hosting a capacity of 10,250, the venue previously hosted the 1982 and 2007 World Men's Handball Championship.[11]
- The ZAG-Arena in Hanover will host its first major tournament since the 2001 IIHF World Championship. Being constructed with a capacity of 10,000, it also hosted Expo 2000 and is home to TSV Hannover-Burgdorf.[12]
- The GETEC Arena in Magdeburg is holding a handball championship for the first time since 2007. Home to Champions League winning side, SC Magdeburg, the venue also held the knockout stage of the 2023 IHF Men's U21 Handball World Championship.[13]
- The Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart was built in 2006. The venue has hosted the 2007 World Men's Handball Championship, 2015 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships and 2025 World Women's Handball Championship.[14]
Draw
The draw will take place on 10 June 2026 in Munich, Germany.[15]
Seeding
The seeding was revealed on 9 February 2026.[16] Germany is assigned to A1 and Denmark as G1.[16]
Preliminary round
The schedule was announced on 9 February 2026.[16]
Group A
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
Germany
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
A2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
A3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
A4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 13 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group B
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
B1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
B2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
B3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
B4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 13 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group C
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
C1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
C2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
C3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
C4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 14 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group D
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
D1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
D2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
D3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
D4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 14 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group E
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
E1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
E2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
E3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
E4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 14 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group F
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
F1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
F2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
F3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
F4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 14 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group G
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
Denmark
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
G2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
G3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
G4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 15 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group H
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
H1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Main round
|
| 2
|
H2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
H3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 4
|
H4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Presidents Cup
|
First match(es) will be played: 15 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Presidents Cup
Group I
First match(es) will be played: 20 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group II
First match(es) will be played: 21 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
31st place game
29th place game
27th place game
25th place game
Main round
All points obtained in the preliminary round against teams that advance aswell, are carried over.
Group I
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
A1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Quarterfinals
|
| 2
|
B1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
A2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
| 4
|
B2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 5
|
A3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 6
|
B3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
First match(es) will be played: 20 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group II
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
C1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Quarterfinals
|
| 2
|
D1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
C2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
| 4
|
D2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 5
|
C3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 6
|
D3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
First match(es) will be played: 21 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group III
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
E1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Quarterfinals
|
| 2
|
F1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
E2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
| 4
|
F2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 5
|
E3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 6
|
F3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
First match(es) will be played: 20 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Group IV
| Pos
|
Team
|
Pld
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
GF
|
GA
|
GD
|
Pts
|
Qualification
|
| 1
|
G1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Quarterfinals
|
| 2
|
H1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 3
|
G2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
| 4
|
H2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 5
|
G3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| 6
|
H3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
First match(es) will be played: 21 January 2027. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Final round
Bracket
| Quarter-finals | | Semi-finals | | Final |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| 26 January | | | | | |
|
| I1 | |
| 29 January |
| III2 | | |
| | |
| 27 January |
| | | | |
| II1 | |
| | 31 January |
| IV2 | | |
| | |
| 26 January |
| | | |
| III1 | |
| 29 January | |
| I2 | | |
| | |
| 27 January |
| | | | | Third place |
| IV1 | |
| | 31 January |
| II2 | | |
| | |
| |
| | |
|
Fifth place bracket
| 5–8th place semifinals | | Fifth place game |
| | | | | | |
| 29 January | | |
|
| | |
| 31 January |
| | | |
| | |
| 29 January |
| | | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| Seventh place game |
| |
| 31 January |
|
| | |
|
| | |
Quarterfinals
5–8th place semifinals
Semifinals
Seventh place game
Fifth place game
Third place game
Final
Final ranking
Places 1 to 8 and 25 to 32 will be decided by play-off or knock-out. Teams finishing third in the main round will be ranked 9th to 12th, teams finishing fourth in the main round will be ranked 13th to 16th, teams finishing fifth in the main round will be ranked 17th to 20th and teams ranked sixth will be ranked 21st to 24th. In case of a tie in points gained, the goal difference of the main round will be taken into account, then number of goals scored. If teams are still be equal, number of points gained in the preliminary round would be considered followed by the goal difference and then number of goals scored in the preliminary round.
| Rank
|
Team
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
| 5 |
|
| 6 |
|
| 7 |
|
| 8 |
|
| 9 |
|
| 10 |
|
| 11 |
|
| 12 |
|
| 13 |
|
| 14 |
|
| 15 |
|
| 16 |
|
| 17 |
|
| 18 |
|
| 19 |
|
| 20 |
|
| 21 |
|
| 22 |
|
| 23 |
|
| 24 |
|
| 25 |
|
| 26 |
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| 27 |
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| 28 |
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| 29 |
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| 30 |
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| 31 |
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| 32 |
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Notes
References
External links
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| Tournaments | |
|---|
| Qualification | |
|---|
| Group B |
- 1977
- 1979
- 1981
- 1983
- 1985
- 1987
- 1989
- 1992
|
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| Group C |
- 1976
- 1978
- 1980
- 1982
- 1984
- 1986
- 1988
- 1990
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| Squads | |
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|
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Summer sports and indoor sports | |
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| Motor sports | |
|---|