Group D features national teams from four continents, which will provide some extra flavour and excitement to the two opening matches scheduled for Friday. 

Argentina vs DR Congo 19:00 CAT

For many years, Argentina have been one of the top teams in South America, winning the continental titles multiple times. Yet their record at the World Championships is not so impressive, the best result being the 12th place in 2011 and 2015.

At the same time, the ‘Gladiators’ have not missed any World Championship starting from 1997, and now they have a squad full of experienced players including centre back Diego Simonet from Montpellier Handball. The South Americans, who are coached by Manolo Cadenas, want to make a step forward and declare that their goal is reaching the quarter-finals.

In their opening encounter, Argentina will be clear favourites against DR Congo, who are making their World Championship debut. The African team qualified for their first ever World Championship after finishing seventh in the 2020 CAHB Men's African Championship last January.

The Congolese are aware that they face a tough challenge in Egypt, and although they will be happy to upset some opponents, their principal mission is to represent their country in the handball world.

“If we win only one game during the whole competition, it will still be a good result for us. Our objective is to show how Congolese handball has grown in the last decade and how it continues to progress,” team captain Aurelien Tchitombi said. 

Denmark vs Bahrain 21:30 CAT

Denmark start the tournament as reigning World and Olympic champions, but even though they are heavyweights in present-day men's handball and rely on a number of high-profile players, the team coached by Nikolaj Jacobsen take nothing for granted.

A year ago, the Nordic side aimed high at the EHF EURO 2020, yet their dreams were crushed as Denmark could not progress to the main round and ultimately finished only 13th.

However, that poor result will certainly give them some extra motivation at the 27th Men's World Handball Championship, where Jacobsen's team are looking for redemption and hope to go far. 

Seen as favourites of Group D, the Danish team are scheduled to face Bahrain in their opening game. Four years ago, the two rivals were also drawn into the same group (and together with Argentina) at the 2017 World Championship, and Denmark won the mutual encounter 30:26.

The Asian team have shown some progress in recent years and are going into their fourth World Championship with the hope to reach the main the round for the first time. But although Bahrain are determined to fight hard, it will be difficult for them to snatch points from the star-studded Danes.