With just one previous world championship appearance previously and facing debutants Cook Islands in their preliminary group, Puerto Rico’s women are looking to make history at Croatia 2026, knowing that a win against the Oceania women will likely propel them into the main round.

At their world championship debut – China 2024 – Puerto Rico faced an uphill battle from day one when they faced all former world championship winners in their preliminary group. Unsurprisingly, they lost to Brazil, Germany and Greece without winning a set.

The consolation round was not much easier as they took on three continental champions in Asia (Vietnam), Oceania (Australia) and North America and the Caribbean (USA), again losing all three without scoring one set.

They had just two more chances for that historic first global victory, going down against host nation China in the 13-16 placement round, but in their final game, took revenge on their continental rivals, taking down the USA to make history with their first world championship win.

To qualify for Croatia 2026, Puerto Rico finished second at the NACHC Women’s North America and Caribbean Beach Handball Championships.

That event, held in St. Kitts and Nevis, saw Puerto Rico beat Mexico 2-1 (10:12, 14:12, SO 5:4) and the hosts 2-0 (22:10, 20:4) in the preliminary group stage and then Canada in the semi-final, 2-0 (18:16, 22:18). The gold medal match went right down to the wire, but a strong US team won the shoot-out to take the title, 2-1 (20:16, 22:24, SO 6:2).

At Croatia 2026, they again face the host nation, as well as 2016 world champions Spain, along with the Cook Islands.

“We have not faced any of our preliminary group opponents before, but we watched Spain play at China 2024 and are aware of the high level they possess – we are heading to Croatia 2026 with the goal of improving our previous performance two years ago and hope to win at least one match in the group stage and finish among the top three teams advancing to the next round. Achieving that would already mean improvement,” said coach Jonathan E. Robles Rodríguez to ihf.info.

“The team is preparing well. We have players who will be making their first world championship appearance at although they have already been working with the senior team for some time.

“We know the level of competition we will face is extremely high, and we have clear goals in mind. We want the new players to gain experience and learn for the future. We have a combination of veteran players, experienced young players, and younger athletes with a very good level of play.”

With captain Yadielis Joan Barros Feliciano leading his team on the sand, Rodriguez can rely on a player who was named best left wing at her continental championship in 2024 and then MVP last time out, in 2026 – as well as finishing inside the top ten scorers at China 2024.

Fans of beach handball will be looking forward to seeing world championship debutant Loreanie Rodriguez Melendez who has “…incredible natural talent, speed, strength, and explosiveness on the court,” according to Rodriguez, and who finished as runner-up in the scoring charts at the NACHC championship this year.

Coach: Jonathan E. Robles Rodríguez
Key Players: Yadielis Barros Feliciano, Loreanie Rodríguez Melendez
Qualification information: 2026 NACHC Women’s North America and Caribbean Beach Handball Championships – 2nd
History in Tournament: 2004-2022: DNQ, 2024: 15th

Group at Croatia 2026: Group B: Spain, Croatia, Cook Islands, Puerto Rico