The International Handball Federation is set to make history once again in 2026, with the inaugural IHF Women's Under-16 World Championship scheduled to take place from 15 to 24 October 2026, with the host location still to be confirmed. The competition marks a landmark moment in the development of women's handball, extending the IHF's global competition pyramid to its youngest level, complementing the current structure, with the Junior (U20) and Youth (U18) World Championships and providing the next generation of female players with a world stage of their own for the very first time.

The new championship follows directly in the footsteps of the inaugural IHF Men's Under-17 World Championship, which was held in Morocco in 2025 and proved to be an outstanding success. That competition introduced a series of adapted rules designed to promote attacking, open and spectacular handball, prioritising player development and entertainment in equal measure, and the IHF Women's Under-16 World Championship will operate under the same framework.

Crucially, the rules prohibit changes in defence formations, the substitution of the goalkeeper in favour of an outfield player, and the use of the seven-on-six attacking system, all designed to ensure that the development of players is safeguarded and encouraged. The competition will also use the resin-free ball, which was also used in Morocco at the IHF Men’s Under-17 World Championship in 2025 and received widespread praise from players, coaches and officials for its performance and consistency.

Twelve teams will compete at the inaugural IHF Women’s Under-16 World Championship, drawn from the six continental confederations. The qualification picture is already taking shape, with two confirmed pathways already in place and others in progress.

In Asia, the 1st Asian Women's U16 Handball Championship has been awarded to the Kazakhstan Handball Federation and will take place from 7 to 16 May 2026 in Astana, with the top two teams earning their places in October's championship. 

In Europe, the qualification will be conducted through the W16 EHF European Open 2026, to be held from 29 June to 3 July 2026 in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the top two finishers securing their spots. It is intended that the W16 EHF European Open will continue to serve as the official European qualification event for the IHF Women's Under-16 World Championship in subsequent years.

For North America and the Caribbean, a qualification tournament is currently in the works, with Mexico set to host the event, from which two teams will qualify. For the African (CAHB), Oceania (OCHF) and South and Central American (SCAHC) Confederations, further information regarding the qualification pathway will follow. Oceania will send one representative, while Africa and South and Central America will each provide two teams.