32 teams learned their fate for the 30th IHF Men’s World Championship after the preliminary round draw was held in Munich on Wednesday, 10 June, setting the path to Germany 2027. 

The tournament itself will run from 13 to 31 January 2027, with six venues across the host nation – Cologne, Munich, Kiel, Hanover, Magdeburg and Stuttgart – welcoming the world’s best men’s national teams. The draw in Munich determined which of these cities each team will call home in the opening phase of the competition, as the handball world turns its attention to the country where “Where handball is alive” will become reality on court.

Prior to the draw, eight teams had already been seeded by the hosts, in accordance with the IHF Regulations. Munich was confirmed as the preliminary-round venue for Germany and Croatia at the SAP Garden, Stuttgart was assigned to Italy and France, Sweden and reigning world champions Denmark were placed in Kiel, while Portugal and Iceland were allocated to Magdeburg

Reigning champions Denmark are likely to have a good path in the preliminary round, as they will start their title defence in Kiel in a group that includes Slovenia, the United States of America and Angola. On paper, the Scandinavian side’s recent record, with their last loss at the World Championship coming in 2017.

Hosts Germany will contest the opening match of the competition against African powerhouse Tunisia, having been drawn together with Serbia and Uruguay in Group A in Munich. In Group C, the runners‑up from the previous edition of the World Championship, Croatia, will face Spain, Chile and debutants Türkiye.
A Scandinavian derby awaits in Kiel, where Sweden and Norway have been placed in Group E, with Greece – returning to the World Championship stage for the first time since 2005 – and Qatar completing the group line‑up.

Asian champions Bahrain will feature in Group H, together with Iceland, North Macedonia and Japan, setting up the prospect of an all‑Asian encounter during the preliminary round. Group F, also to be played in Magdeburg, brings together debutants Faroe Islands with Portugal, Poland and Algeria in what appears to be another well‑balanced section.

 

African champions Egypt will enter Group B as clear favourites, facing Italy, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia. In Group D, a full South and Central American derby between Argentina and Brazil – a replay of the 2026 South and Central America Men’s Championship final – will again take place, with France and Kuwait completing the group line‑up.

The first matches at Germany 2027 are scheduled for 13 January and the final will be played at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne on 31 January. Preliminary round matches and main round action, as well as the President’s Cup will be staged at SAP Garden in Munich, Porsche‑Arena in Stuttgart, Wunderino Arena in Kiel, ZAG‑Arena in Hanover and GETEC Arena in Magdeburg, as well as in Cologne.

The decisive knockout games bring the world’s elite together in Cologne, with the quarter-finals staged on 26 and 27 January, the semi-finals on 29 January and the medal matches on 31 January. 

The 5-8 Placement matches, which will decide the final standings, are also scheduled for 29 and 31 January.

2027 IHF Men’s World Championship – preliminary round

Group A: Germany, Serbia, Tunisia, Uruguay
Group B: Egypt, Italy, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia
Group C: Croatia, Spain, Chile, Türkiye
Group D: Argentina, France, Brazil, Kuwait
Group E: Sweden, Norway, Greece, Qatar
Group F: Portugal, Faroe Islands, Poland, Algeria
Group G: Denmark, Slovenia, United States of America, Angola
Group H: Iceland, North Macedonia, Bahrain, Japan