Veliko Tarnovo takes centre stage in international handball this week, as the Women’s Intercontinental Phase of the IHF Trophy is scheduled  from 7 to 11 April 2026. The competition brings together 10 national teams across two age categories: youth (U17) and junior (U19), with coveted berths at the IHF Women's Junior and IHF Women's Youth World Championships up for grabs.

The 2024 edition of the IHF Intercontinental Trophy, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, delivered two memorable champions. In the junior category, Uzbekistan claimed the title on home soil, while in the youth category, Kosovo emerged victorious.

The two competitions adopt similar formats to determine their respective champions. In both the junior (U19) competition and the youth (U17) competition,  a straight round-robin format is followed, with all five participating nations facing each other once, and the final standings determining the winner directly, with no final or bronze medal match.

In the junior competition, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Guinea and Uzbekistan will feature, while the battle in the youth competition is going to be decided between Bulgaria, Canada, Guinea, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

Due to the current travel restrictions and cancelled flights, New Caledonia cannot take part in this edition of the Women’s Intercontinental Phase of the IHF Trophy, which they were qualified to.

The competition carries significant weight beyond the trophy itself. The winners of both the junior and youth tournaments will secure direct qualification for their respective IHF Women's World Championships. However, the pathway comes with an important nuance.

In the junior competition, both Canada and Guinea have already secured qualification for the IHF Women's Junior World Championship - to be held in Jinzhong, People's Republuc of China from 24 June to 5 July 2026 - through their continental competitions. Should either of these two sides win the Intercontinental Phase, their spot would pass to the next-highest ranked team from their continental qualifying competition that has not yet qualified.

In the youth tournament, the scenario is slightly broader: Canada, Guinea and Uzbekistan have all already qualified for the IHF Women's Youth World Championship, to be hosted by Romania from 29 July to 9 August 2026. Should any of these three teams claim the title in Veliko Tarnovo, the qualification place will similarly cascade to the next eligible team from the relevant continental competition.

Bulgaria enter the competition as hosts and will be motivated by home support. Guinea arrive as one of the most experienced teams in the field, with strong showings at the 2024 edition in both age categories. The youth team secured the bronze medal in the 2025 CAHB Women’s African Youth Handball Championship, while the junior side were silver medallists in the 2025 CAHB Women’s African Junior Handball Championship, losing the final against Egypt. 

Uzbekistan, the reigning junior champions, will be eager to defend their status, while Canada have also qualified via their continental competitions to both age groups. Colombia, representing South and Central America, complete what promises to be a closely contested junior field.

All the matches of the Women’s Intercontinental Phase of the IHF Trophy can we watched on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel free of charge.