The 2026 IHF Women's U20 Handball World Championship will start on Wednesday, 24 June, in Jingzhou, People’s Republic of China, with 32 teams at the start. It will be the third edition of the competition with 32 teams lining up, with five continents represented.

The sides will be split in eight groups of four teams each, with the top two sides progressing to the main round. Reigning champions France will start in Group A, with a showdown against Sweden.

The Spain team which won the title two years ago in China is returning with big ambitions, but several other powerhouses will be looking to secure the trophy in what projects to be a fascinating competition.
 
Group A

16:15 CST — France v Sweden
18:30 CST — Egypt v India

Group B

11:45 CST — Austria v Angola
14:00 CST — Serbia v Paraguay

Group C

16:15 CST — Germany v Brazil
18:30 CST — Romania v Canada

Group D

11:45 CST — Spain v Argentina
14:00 CST — Republic of Korea v Türkiye

Group E

16:15 CST — Denmark v Guinea
19:00 CST — People’s Republic of China v Algeria

Group F

11:45 CST — Montenegro v Iceland
14:00 CST — Czech Republic v United States of America 

Group G

11:45 CST — Hungary v Chinese Taipei
14:00 CST — Poland v Tunisia

Group H

16:15 CST — Croatia v Norway.
18:30 CST — Japan v Faroe Islands

16:15 CST France vs Sweden

The reigning champions are returning with a heavyweight clash at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, as France will face Sweden in a 100% European derby, a match which will surely provide entertainment and drama.

France have won their maiden title in the previous edition in 2024, and this generation has finished fourth at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, conceding losses in the semi-final against Denmark and in the bronze-medal match against Hungary, both coming by a single goal.

At the W19 EHF EURO 2025, Sweden have finished 13th, the same place they ended up at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, but they will need to step up, provided they want a better finish. However, with Egypt and India completing the group, this match is likely to decide the team which has the best chances for the group win.

16:15 CST Germany vs Brazil

While Germany have finished fifth at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship, they are the current European champions, with this generation already clinching silverware and establishing itself as one of the teams to beat.

With experienced players on display, like Chiara Rohr, Marlene Tucholke or rookie of the year in the German Bundesliga, Farrelle Njinkeu, Germany have plenty of sollutions on many positions, as well as depth, crucial for a competition like this, where eight matches will be played until the final day.

Germany had little luck in the draw, though, facing Romania, Canada and Brazil, with the latter being their first opponent in the competition. Brazil are the South and Central American champions, have finished 11th in the previous Youth World Championship and will make Germany’s life as hard as possible.

18:30 CST People’s Republic of China vs Algeria

The hosts were the surprise package with this generation at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship and will aim for another main round berth here, as they open their campaign against Algeria.

The People’s Republic of China finished third at the 2025 Asian Women's Junior Handball Championship last year and will meet Algeria, which ended up fifth at the 2025 African Women's Junior Handball Championship, but only secured safe passage through Guinea winning the IHF Intercontinental Trophy last March.

China will be favoured in this match in Jinzhong and over 4.000 spectators are being expected to flock to the arena to support their team, which has provided great performances in finishing 15th at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship.