The International Handball Federation released the schedule for the 18th edition of the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, which will take place in the New Administrative Capital in Egypt, between 26 September and 2 October.

The preliminary round will take place on 26, 27 and 28 September, with the matches for the first day scheduled at 15:30 EEST (14:30 CEST), 17:45 EEST (16:45 CEST) and 20:30 EEST (19:30 CEST).

For the next two days, when the three European sides, including the most decorated team in the history of the competition, FC Barcelona, the reigning champions, Veszprém HC and the Machineseeker EHF Champions League winners, SC Magdeburg, enter the fray, the matches will start at 15:30 EEST (14:30 CEST), 17:45 EEST (16:45 CEST) and 20:00 EEST (19:00 CEST).

The competition will throw off on Friday, 26 September, with debutants Sharjah SC taking on the California Eagles, the winners of the NACHC Qualifiers.

Zamalek SC are due to play against Handebol Taubaté, while the day is concluded by the Group C match between Egyptian side Al-Ahly and Sydney Uni, the Australian side taking part for the 12th time in the competition.

The preliminary round ends on Sunday, 28 September, with SC Magdeburg taking on Sharjah SC, FC Barcelona playing against Zamalek and Al-Ahly taking on the reigning champions, Veszprém HC.

The winner of each group in the preliminary round plus the best second-placed team in the three groups will advance to the semi-finals, where the best group winner will face either the best second placed team or the third best group winner. Teams from the same group cannot play again in the semi-finals.

A rest day will separate the preliminary round and the semi-finals and the placement matches, with the battles for the two final places taking place on Tuesday, 30 September, at 17:15 EEST (16:15 CEST) and 20:00 EEST (19:00 CEST).

The bronze medal match and the big final of the 18th edition of the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, which will take place in the New Administrative Capital Hall, already the venue for the previous edition of the competition, are scheduled for Thursday, 2 October, at 17:15 EEST (16:15 CEST) and 20:00 EEST (19:00 CEST) respectively.