In the past, North Macedonia played just three times in the IHF Women's U20 World Championship, and they achieved their best result – the sixth place – in 2003 when the tournament was staged in their own country. And now the Balkan side will host it again, hoping for another positive result. 

Last year, the North Macedonians did not have much success at the Women's 19 EHF EURO 2023, where they lost four matches before beating Croatia and finished 15th among 16 participants. However, now they are determined to do a better job, as they are delighted to play at the World Championship after a 16-year break.

Earlier this year, North Macedonia changed the head coach: Juliana Damchevska, who was at the helm at the Women's 19 EHF EURO 2023, was replaced by her former assistant Darko Janev, who is now preparing the team for the World Championship.

Most of the players represent domestic clubs, but two players are based abroad – right back Iva Mladenovska plays for Brest Bretagne Handball in France, and left back Sara Stefanoska comes from Serbia's ZRK Jagodina.

In the group stage, North Macedonia will play all their three games at Boris Trajkovski Sports Center in Skopje. They enter the competition with the hopes that home fans' support will help them to get good results and progress to the main round, which is their immediate goal. 

Key players: Iva Mladenovska (right back), Emilijana Rizoska (right wing), Sara Stefanoska (left back)

Qualification: hosts

History in the competition: 1995: 17th, 2003: 8th, 2008: 18th

Group at North Macedonia 2024: Group H (Angola, North Macedonia, Iceland, United States of America)