Cape Verde and Uruguay, both heading into their second World Championship, will face off in Group C, while co-hosts Sweden, runners-up two years ago, are scheduled to meet Brazil. 

• 18:00 CET Cape Verde vs Uruguay

Both teams made their debut at the IHF World Championship two years ago in Egypt, where they were also drawn into the same group. However, their meeting did not happen, as Cape Verde played just one match in the competition, losing 27:34 against Hungary, and withdrew due to the COVID-19 problems.

A 10:0 forfeit victory against the African team helped Uruguay reach the main round, but they lost all the other matches to finish 24th. So both Cape Verde and Uruguay are yet to claim their first actual wins at this level and each side hopes to make history on Thursday. This match will be crucial for both sides, as the winner will have an excellent chance of progressing to the main round. 

Last year, Cape Verde impressed the handball world, winning silver at the CAHB Men's African Handball Championship. It was the first medal in the history of the team and there is no doubt that it boosted the team's morale and gave them further motivation.

While most Cape Verde players represent European clubs, more than half of the Uruguay national team members play in their home country. And although the experienced centre back and captain Nicolás Fabra will miss the event due to an injury, his absence will give a chance to young players.

"We have to start believing that we can be competitive. We are going to play seven matches at this World Championship and the goal is to win one or two," says head coach Nicolás Guerra. 

• 20:30 CET Sweden vs Brazil 

Sweden are the only European team in group C, and they will be considered the clear favourites in their three group encounters. 

The Nordic side, who are heading into their 26th World Championships, have won medals in 12 of them – including silver at Egypt 2021, their best result since 2001. After that, Sweden won the title at the EHF EURO 2022 in Hungary/Slovakia, so the co-hosts are determined to finish on the podium again at the 2023 IHF Men's World Championship.

Before travelling to Gothenburg, where they will play their group matches, the team coached by Glenn Solberg played a friendly match in Lund, narrowly beating Serbia 35:34 in Niclas Ekberg's 200th match for the national team.

At major international competitions, Sweden have won all five encounters against Brazil, including both matches at the World Championships – notably by the same 29:21 score at Iceland 1995 and Portugal 2023.
Brazil will play their 17th World Championship, with their best-ever result being at Denmark/Germany 2019, where they finished ninth. However, two years later, in Egypt, the South Americans were unable to reach the same heights, taking only 18th place.

Last year, Brazil won the South and Central American Championship, which they hosted, beating Argentina in the final. And now the team coached by Marcus Oliveira hopes to do well at the World Championship.