Iceland last featured at the IHF Women's Junior World Championship six years ago at Hungary 2018, where they finished 10th. It was actually their best-ever result at this level, but now the Nordic team, who are heading into their fourth World Championship, harbour hopes to do even better.

Last year, they finished only 13th of 16 teams at the Women's 19 EHF EURO 2023 in Romania, and it was just enough to book a ticket to North Macedonia 2024. However, Iceland claimed three wins in that competition, and all of them against Balkan rivals: Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia.

Now they are set to face North Macedonia again, as well as the African champions Angola and the United States of America in the competitive Group H, and Iceland's primary goal is to advance to the main round. They certainly have a potential to reach that objective, having a number of talented players from the Icelandic clubs in the squad. 

In particular, the coaching duo Agust Thor Johannsson and Arni Stefan Gudjonsson can rely on a solid goalkeeping from Ethel Bjarnasen, good play from the fast wings Lilja Agustsdottir and Katrin Anna Asmundsdittir, and the playmaking talent of Elin Klara Thorkelsdottir. When these players are on fire, they can pose a serious threat, so Iceland are able to upset any rival – and they will try to do it at the World Championship. 

Key players: Lilja Agustsdottir (left wing), Elin Klara Thorkelsdottir (centre back), Ethel Bjarnasen (goalkeeper)

Qualification: W19 EHF EURO 2023: 13th place

History in the competition: 1999: 18th, 2008: 13th, 2018: 10th

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