The host nation's men’s team are fresh off of a 12th-place finish at the 2022 IHF Men’s Beach Handball World Championship in Greece last month.

While the final ranking could only equal their 2018 finish, it was not surprising with key and experienced players missing on the sand in Heraklion for various reasons.

Charlie White has now recovered from injury and is back in the squad. He is joined by the imposing, 2.02m Drew Donlin who missed the World Championship as he was busy with the US men’s indoor team who secured qualification for the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship at the same time Greece was running.

Donlin has Spanish ASOBAL experience but has made his name on the beach with the US, having been one of their top scorers in recent years and forming a deadly partnership with the inspirational Ebiye Udo-Udoma. 

Also coming into the team as part of coach Michael Hinson’s five changes in his squad of 10 are the experienced Jacabo Garcia and goalkeeper Gabe Goodreau, who, along with White won the North America and Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) Men’s Beach Handball Championships which took place in Acapulco, Mexico last April.

That American experience will be useful in Alabama with their preliminary group entirely Pan American, consisting of Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico.

Both Argentina and Puerto Rico were also in their preliminary group in Greece with the US defeating Argentina 2-1 via a 7:6 shoot-out win and Puerto Rico 2-0. They then met Argentina in the 11/12 placement match but lost 0-2.

“To compete for the USA at The World Games on American soil is something I will remember for the rest of my life,” said White to the Team USA website. 

“We have an incredibly talented team that can compete with the best in the world. It's time to focus and play up to our potential. I hope we show the American people how dynamic and exciting our team and this sport can be. I want us to end up on the podium in Birmingham.”
 

Key Players: Ebiye Udo-Udoma, Andrew (Drew) Donlin

Qualification for Birmingham: Host nation

History in tournament: 2001-2017: DNQ

Group at Birmingham 2022: Group B (Brazil, United States of America, Argentina, Puerto Rico)