Switzerland will line up at the start of the IHF Men’s World Championship for the 12th time in history, for the second time in the last three editions and only for the third time in the last 20 years, as the European country is slowly trying to enter the conversation and become a mainstay in the world handball flagship competition.

Four years ago, at Egypt 2021, Switzerland returned after a 16-year wait, being a replacement team for the United States of America, which suffered a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. They finished on the 16th place, with three wins and three losses, in Andre Schmid’s debut at the IHF Men’s World Championship.

Schmid, arguably the best Swiss player in history, and the all-time top goal scorer of the European side, retired after scoring 1094 goals, one more than the previous record holder, Marc Baumgartner, and had the fourth largest number of matches, 218, for Switzerland.

His last matches for the national team came at the EHF EURO 2024, when Switzerland finished 21st, but his bond with the European side did not falter, as Schmid took over the coaching position, replacing Michael Suter, who has been in charge since 2016. However, the first matches for Schmid in his new role ended in a heartbreak.

After a 27:26 win against Slovenia in the first leg of the Qualification Europe Phase 2 for the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship, Switzerland lost the second leg, 33:34, as the doubleheader went to penalties to decide the qualified team. Slovenia won, 4:1, and it looked like it was game over for Switzerland.

Nevertheless, with a wild card spot available, Switzerland were granted the wild card by the IHF due to a mix of factors, including the sporting merit, which saw be the team eliminated from contention with the lowest difference, as well as commercial reasons, as they had the biggest reach after a thorough analysis.

Yet once again, luck was not on Switzerland’s side, as Schmid’s debut as a coach in a major international competition will see the European side headed into Group A at Croatia/Denmark/Norway 2025, with another three European rivals in the mix in the battle for the three main round berths.

Against Germany, Switzerland played twice in 2024, losing both matches, 14:27 at the EHF EURO 2024 in January and 26:35 in the EHF EURO 2026 Qualifiers in November. But Schmid will be confident that his side can take on the challenge against Poland and Czechia, with a win against one of the two sides being crucial in securing a place in the next phase.

Still, Switzerland have some aces upon their sleeve, as proven in a 29:29 draw against Austria in the EHF EURO 2026 Qualifiers in November, with some talented players making the ranks. 

Goalkeeper Nikola Portner, who has been plying his trade in France and Germany over the last decade, is arguably the most experienced player in the side. His SC Magdeburg teammate, Manuel Zehnder, is also one of the most talented players in Europe right now, being the top goal scorer of the previous Bundesliga season, with 277 goals. Wing Samuel Zehnder is also one of the best scorers in the German league, finishing eighth last season and being currently in the top-15 right now.

Therefore, Switzerland will likely be a tough nut to crack, but the dynamics of Group A, scheduled in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, will undoubtedly make the competition even harder for all the four sides, including Switzerland in Schmid’s debut as a head coach.

Key players: Nikola Portner (goalkeeper), Manuel Zehnder (left back), Lucas Meister (line player)

Qualification: Wild card

History in the competition: 1954: 4th, 1961: 10th, 1964: 12th, 1967: 14th, 1970: 15th, 1982: 12th, 1986: 11th, 1990: 13th, 1993: 4th, 1995: 7th, 2021: 16th

Group at CRO/DEN/NOR 2025: Group A (Germany, Czechia, Poland, Switzerland)