15 games will be played on the fourth day of the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Zagreb as the main round concludes at Lake Jarun with a morning/early afternoon session.

All eyes on main round, group II as Brazil could face shock exit

With Denmark, Greece and Argentina all through to the quarter-finals from main round group II, the focus of the women’s competition on day four will be the two games side-by-side at 1300hrs local time.

On the central court, the ANOC World Beach Games champions Denmark will play three-time world champions Brazil and on the adjoining court at the same time, Asian silver medallists Philippines will play 2010 world champions Norway.

Both Brazil and Philippines are vying for the last spot in the quarter-finals. Should Brazil win then they are through no matter what happens in the other game, but should they lose to the current table-toppers and Philippines defeat the already-out-of-contention Norwegians, then it will be the Asian side who make history for themselves and move into knockout stages for the first time and in just their second-ever global event – a loss will not see them progress. Argentina take on Greece, hoping to top the group with a win.

In group I, Spain and Germany cannot be caught at the top and whoever wins their clash will seal the group win. Croatia and Netherlands play for third spot, while Puerto Rico and Uruguay will claim their first main round win of Croatia 2026 as they head into the 9-16 placement round. The consolation round will see the Cook Islands take on the USA.

All quarter-finalists known as heavyweight clashes abound in men’s competition

With all eight teams from the men’s competition into the knockout stages now known, the final day of group action is purely for final group positions.

Two of the games on Friday (26 June) are repeats of the 2025 EHF EURO semi-finals.

Main round group I features Hungary taking on Spain, a win for the Spanish side confirming their group title, and a repeat of the EHF EURO last four win from 2025, when they defeated the Hungarians 2-1 (19:18, 30:36, SO 7:6) in Turkiye. Portugal could also claim the table-topping crown with a win against Denmark. Iran and Tunisia play off to finish fifth.

Hosts Croatia will play Germany looking to enter the knockout stages with a win after losing both of their main round group II games on day one. This clash is also a repeat of the European championship semi-final from 2025 which was won by Germany 2-1 (18:26, 22:20, SO 7:6) – a team who have now won five games in a row at Croatia 2026, four by shoot-out.

“We were hoping to win all our games here, and, so far, we've managed that,” said captain Robin John to handball-world.news. “Our defence is solid, our goalkeepers are making saves, and we're playing good up front. The only thing that's bothering us is that final bit of finishing touch. Otherwise, we've been putting in the kind of performances everyone wants.”

The eliminated France and Oman face South American sides Brazil and Argentina respectively, while in the consolation round Australia play the USA and Puerto Rico take on Italy with the Puerto Ricans still looking for their first win at Croatia 2026.

All games from Croatia 2026 will be streamed live and free (no login required) on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel (geo-restrictions will apply) click HERE for more information.

2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships: Match schedule

Friday 26 June 2026

MAIN ROUND (MR), CONSOLATION ROUND (CR)

Men’s Competition
1000 MR1: HUN v ESP, DEN v POR, TUN v IRI, CR: AUS v USA
1200 MR2: CRO v GER, FRA v BRA, OMA v ARG, CR: PUR v ITA

Women’s Competition
1100 MR1: ESP v GER, CRO v NED, PUR v URU, CR: BEN v VIE*
1300 MR2: DEN v BRA, ARG v GRE, PHI v NOR, CR: COK v USA

All times local (CEST). Competition Management has the right to change the order, the court and the time of the matches.

*Game forfeited 2-0 (10:0, 10:0) to Vietnam due to Benin withdrawing from the competition