Algeria will make their comeback at the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship for the first time since 2008, ending a 16-year hiatus. Coincidentally, their last two appearances in the competition have also come in editions hosted by North Macedonia, in 2003 and in 2008.

However, in their previous four appearances, Algeria have never broken into the top-10 and have never finished higher than the 12th place, achieved in their maiden appearance, in 1989, finishing 16th twice, in 1993 and 2008 and 19th in 2003.

The African side made it through to the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship after ending on the fifth place at the 2023 CAHB African Women's Junior Handball Championship, where they lost two matches in the preliminary round, 19:32 against Egypt and 19:32 against Tunisia.

However, they bounced back and clinched the coveted berth for the world handball flagship competition after two wins in the Placement Matches 5/8, 35:26 against Kenya and 26:19 against Cote d’Ivoire, but they have a mountain to climb, provided they want to avoid their worst placement in the history of the competition.

With two European opponents – Sweden and Czechia – and a pacy People’s Republic of China team, the African side will need to rise their level, especially after this generation ended up on the 32nd place, dead last, at the 2022 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship two years ago, also in a competition hosted in North Macedonia.

Key players: Soulaf Atmani (left back), Prescilia Boulhout (left wing), Lyna Yelles (line player)

Qualification: 2023 CAHB African Women's Junior Handball Championship: 5th place

History in the competition: 1989: 12th, 1993: 16th, 2003: 19th, 2008: 16th

Group at North Macedonia 2024: Group E (Sweden, Czechia, People’s Republic of China, Algeria)