A solitary bronze medal in their debut appearance back in 2006 is the only reward for Spain men’s nine appearances at the IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championships – including a run of four championships (2012, 2014, 2016, 2018) where they finished fifth – a ranking they finished in last time out, at China 2024, although left wing Gonzalo Cervera was named in the All-star Team two years ago.  

But could that ranking change at Croatia 2026?

If their qualification through to the event – a silver medal at the 2025 EHF EURO – is anything to go by then it looks like it is time for Spain to get their second global medal on the 20th anniversary of their first.

In Turkiye last year they lost to France in their opening preliminary group game (1-2) but powered on to win their next two first round matches, against Bulgaria (2-0) and Sweden (2-0) and then secured main round victories against Norway (2-1) and Italy (2-0) before suffering defeat to Hungary (0-2).

Those results were enough to move through to the quarter-finals where they beat Denmark (2-1) and then reversed that main round lost to Hungary in the semi-final, taking a 2-1 semi-final win. The final was a step too far as they lost to Germany via shoot-out (1-2). Pablo Martin Ruiz was voted into the tournament All-star Team as MVP.

That continental medal added to their collection, which also includes a 2017 EHF EURO gold won at the exact same venue as Croatia 2026 – Jarun Lake.

The Spanish men will be hoping to replicate that at Jarun nine years later under the guidance of coach Juan Antonio Vazquez, known as ‘Chispi’, and led by charismatic captain Adria Ortola who is well-known as a surfer.

Their preliminary group at Croatia 2026 has seen them drawn against Portugal plus Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America. 

As their neighbours, Spain have played Portugal the most times, winning 13 of their 18 games and losing twice, while against Iran, the Europeans have won all three of their clashes so far, the same for the USA who have lost twice to Spain. Both Iran and USA played Spain at the 2022 world championships, both losing 2-0.

Late last year, Spain took silver in Brazil at the 2025 IHF Beach Handball Global Tour: Finals after losing 2-0 (24:22, 14:11) to the hosts in front of over 3,000 fans in the final. Spain had beaten Brazil in the preliminary stage (2-1), as well as Argentina (2-0), but lost to Croatia (1-2).

A few months earlier, Spain had lost to Brazil in the bronze medal match of The World Games 2025 at Xinglong Lake in Chengdu, despite winning the first set, after Pablo Martin Ruiz saw his shot blocked in the shoot-out, Brazil taking a 2-1 (22:23, 17:12, SO 8:6).

2025 proved to be an important year for Spanish beach handball with teams in both genders at all levels scooping up a variety of medals. In addition to the men’s EURO silver, gold medals in both the 2025 IHF Men’s and Women’s Youth Beach Handball World Championships in Tunisia in June were followed up by the Spanish women taking gold in the EURO youth ahead of their men winning that silver and their women’s side taking EURO Gold.

Spain remains a key factor in helping the sport of beach handball grow – their Arena Beach Handball Tour is one of the biggest in the world and numerous, large-scale competitions run throughout the country which has produced some of the best players in the world.

“We are in the preparation phase for the world championship, progressing through the different stages, and everything is going according to plan,” said coach Vazquez to ihf.info. 

“The players and the team are developing in line with what we aim to achieve so that we can arrive in Croatia in the best possible condition. We are looking forward to the group stage matches, with the goal of securing qualification in a strong position for the main round, and from there, we will see what the championship has in store for us.”

And for any fans hoping to see Spain in action in Zagreb – you may hear the Spain team before you see them with the sounds of popular song ‘La Morocha’ likely to be heard as they sing and dance their way to court for matches.

Coach: Juan Antonio Vazquez

Key Players: Pablo Martin Ruiz, Adria Ortola, Mario Miranda

Qualification information: 2025 EHF European Beach Handball Championship – 5th

History in Tournament: 2004: DNQ, 2006: 3rd, 2008: 5th, 2010: 8th, 2012: 5th, 2014: 5th, 2016: 5th, 2018: 5th, 2022: 7th, 2024: 5th

Group at Croatia 2026: Group A: Spain, Portugal, Islamic Republic of Iran, United States of America