After the opening day of the main round at the 2026 IHF Women's Youth World Championship, five quarter-finalists have already been confirmed, as Egypt, Denmark, Spain, Montenegro and the People's Republic of China are all certain to progress. However, three spots are still up for grabs, and the final main round matches on Tuesday 4 August will complete the quarter-final line-up.

The group stage of the President's Cup will also conclude with eight encounters, and Tuesday's matches will determine which teams remain in contention for the consolation trophy.

MAIN ROUND
Group I
11:45 EEST — Egypt v Denmark
14:00 EEST — France v Republic of Korea

Group II
16:15 EEST — Spain v Montenegro
18:30 EEST — Germany v Netherlands

Group III
16:15 EEST — Hungary v People's Republic of China
18:30 EEST — Sweden v Romania

Group IV
11:45 EEST — Slovakia v Switzerland
14:00 EEST — Japan v Slovenia

PRESIDENT'S CUP
Group I
16:15 EEST — Croatia v Czechia
18:30 EEST — Republic of Fiji v Mexico

Group II
16:15 EEST — Guinea v Portugal
18:30 EEST — Uzbekistan v Argentina

Group III
11:45 EEST — Tunisia v Kazakhstan
14:00 EEST — Canada v Uruguay

Group IV
11:45 EEST — Brazil v Serbia
14:00 EEST — Angola v Algeria

Switzerland v Slovakia — 11:45 EEST

After three victories in as many group matches, Switzerland extended their winning run in their first main round game, beating Japan 41:31. Line player Cristina Hofstetter became their top scorer in that encounter with eight goals, while left wing Lauryn Mierzwa, who scored seven times, is currently the joint top scorer of the tournament with a tally of 35 goals.

With four points and sitting top of Group IV, the Swiss team are already certain to achieve their highest-ever finish at the IHF Women's Youth World Championship, improving on their 14th-place finish at China 2024. With a win or a draw against Slovakia, Switzerland will secure a place in the quarter-finals—and they could even progress with a defeat, depending on other results.

Slovakia, who also claimed maximum points in the preliminary round, opened the main round with a narrow 23:24 defeat against Slovenia, conceding the decisive goal just seconds before the final buzzer. Sitting on two points, they still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals, but will most likely need a victory over Switzerland to keep that dream alive.

Egypt v Denmark — 11:45 EEST

Both quarter-finalists from Group I have already been decided, and now Egypt and Denmark will meet in a direct battle for first place. The winner will maintain a perfect record at Romania 2026 and finish top of the group, while Egypt would also secure first place with a draw thanks to their superior goal difference.

Egypt, the surprise package of the tournament, confirmed their ambitions at the start of the main round. After defeating Croatia, France and the Republic of Fiji in the preliminary round, they produced a dramatic comeback against the Republic of Korea. Trailing by six goals with just seven minutes remaining, the African side mounted a remarkable fightback to claim another two points.

Denmark also had to work hard for their victories in the preliminary round, winning two of their three matches by a single goal. On Monday, they added another narrow victory, defeating France 21:19. Goalkeeper Thilde Ladegaard Skov delivered an outstanding performance with 15 saves and a 44% save efficiency, and if she produces another display of that calibre on Tuesday, Denmark will have every chance of ending Egypt's impressive run.

Spain v Montenegro — 16:15 EEST

Like Group I, both quarter-finalists from Group II have already been determined, with Spain and Montenegro level on four points. Both European sides still boast perfect records at Romania 2026, but only one can preserve it after their head-to-head clash, which will decide the group winner.

Spain, the reigning champions, are determined to defend their title and have lived up to expectations so far. After victories over Guinea, Uzbekistan and Germany in the preliminary round, the Iberian side overcame the Netherlands 30:26 thanks to a strong second-half performance, securing a place in the last eight.

Montenegro, who finished 18th and 12th at the previous two editions of the competition, are now guaranteed to improve on those results. The bronze medallists at the W17 EHF EURO 2025 have yet to drop a point, and a hard-fought 27:26 victory over Germany on Monday secured their place in the quarter-finals.

Both teams will be eager to finish top of Group II in the hope of facing a more favourable opponent in the knockout stage. Spain hold a superior goal difference (+7 compared to Montenegro's +2), meaning a draw would be enough for them to finish first.

Hungary v People's Republic of China — 16:15 EEST

Hungary rescued a dramatic 24:24 draw against hosts Romania with a late comeback, and despite dropping their first point of the tournament, they remain well placed to reach the quarter-finals. The two-time defending bronze medallists sit second in Group III with three points.

The Hungarians will guarantee progression with either a win or a draw on Tuesday. Even a defeat could still be enough, but in that scenario they would need Romania to fail to beat Sweden.

Meanwhile, the People's Republic of China have already made history at Romania 2026 by securing their first-ever top-eight finish. By defeating Sweden in their opening main round match, the Asian side proved that their perfect preliminary-round record was no coincidence.

China's standout player, Shuoyan Zhang, was once again in outstanding form, scoring 13 goals against Sweden to move level at the top of the tournament scoring charts with 35 goals. The left back will be looking to add to that tally against Hungary. A draw would be enough for China to finish top of the group, while a Hungarian victory would see them leapfrog the Asian side into first place.