Following the conclusion of the 2025 EHF Men’s and Women’s European Beach Handball Championships in Türkiye, and the Asian championships earlier this year, more than half (19) of the 32 teams for the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Croatia next year are known.

Continental confederation allocations

Based on the results of the 2024 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships held in the People’s Republic of China last year, the following places are allocated for the 2026 edition per Continental Confederation, in addition to the host nation and current world champions.

• Men’s competition: Africa (1 place), Asia (2), Europe (7), Oceania (1), South and Central America (2), North America and the Caribbean (2)
• Women’s competition: Africa (1), Asia (2), Europe (5), Oceania (1), South and Central America (3), North America and the Caribbean (2)

Continental Confederations have until 30 September 2025 to confirm their allocated places. If a qualified federation does not confirm its right to participate, the IHF Executive Committee will take a final decision on the substitute nations. All continental qualifications must take place no later than 31 March 2026.

History made for Italy and France men at European championship in Türkiye

Alongside hosts and current men’s world champions Croatia (10 appearances – ever-presents), the European championship saw Germany (2), Spain (9), Hungary (7), Portugal (2) and Denmark (5) qualify for another global event thanks to their EURO ranking. 

But for Italy and France, their finish in Alanya meant history – Croatia 2026 will be their first-ever senior men’s world championship appearance.

Pasquale Maione’s Italian team finished eighth, but that was enough to finally make it to the world stage. 

“Qualifying for the next world championships is an historic achievement and is the result of the dedication of all the players – we're delighted,” said coach Maione to Federhandball.it.

“We thank all the fans who have shown us their warmth and support from home. This can only be a motivation for us to continue working with even greater determination and strive to arrive at the world championship in the best possible condition.”

For France, known as ‘Les Bleus’, their fifth-place finish at the EURO means they will finally join the French women – who have one world championship appearance in 2018 to their name – on the world stage.

Coach Paul Mourioux led the French men to that top five finish – the best-ever continental senior finish for either team – and he and his captain, Alexix Gilme, could not be more pleased.

“I am very proud of the work done by the team and very happy with this result,” said Mourioux to FFHandball.fr, with Gilme looking to the future already. “It is truly the fruit of an immense collective effort and I also count the absentee players, who have worked on this season and sometimes on those that preceded it,” he said. “There is no doubt that this collective will continue to move forward in the months and years to come.”

In the women’s competition, alongside hosts Croatia and current world champions Germany, who already qualified, 2016 world champions Spain (7 appearances), 2010 winners Norway (8), double bronze medallists Netherlands (2), double silver medallists Denmark (6) and 2018 champions Greece (3) all booked spots for Croatia 2026.

Host nation ready to host debut global spectacular

After the organising rights for the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships were awarded to the Croatian Handball Federation, following the decision taken by the IHF Council on 18 June 2025, thoughts have turned to the event which will take place next year, with venue and competition dates to be confirmed in due course.

2026 will be the first time Croatia hosts the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships and comes after the nation was a co-host of the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship earlier this year.

“The right to organise the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Croatia is very good news that confirms our country's long-standing dominance in beach handball on a global scale and is a great incentive for further development and investment in this sport,” said Croatia’s women’s team captain Kristina Smiljanic about the event.

“I believe that Croatia has been deservedly, fully, put on the world map, where our national teams and clubs are at the top of European and global beach handball. It is the right time for our national scene to be further elevated through these world championships.

“This will be a very nice event in front of the domestic audience who will have the opportunity to see the most beautiful moves and styles of play through the attractive moves and dynamics of this sport,” she added.

“Also, this is an opportunity that should be used to create an animation for the upcoming generations of future beach handball players. The pressure and expectations will certainly be very high, but this is just an additional motive and motivation that will push us towards a medal.”

After the organising rights were announced, Chair of the IHF Beach Handball Working Group, Giampiero Masi, was full of praise about what the European nation can offer.

“I’m sure it will mark a landmark moment in the beach handball evolution,” he said to ihf.info. “Croatia has long been a powerhouse in beach handball, has hosted numerous international competitions and the sport is really popular.

“Croatians have influenced beach handball worldwide and have one of the most decorated beach handball teams in the world. They have all the conditions for a fantastic edition of the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships and I am sure it will be amazing.”

2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships – qualified teams
as of 14 July 2025

Women’s competition
1. Hosts: Croatia
2. Reigning World Champions: Germany
3. AHF (Asia) Continental Place: Vietnam, 1st – Asian Championship
4. AHF: Philippines, 2nd – Asian Championship
5. EHF (Europe) Continental Place: Spain, 1st – EURO
6. EHF: Norway, 2nd – EURO
7. EHF: Netherlands, 4th – EURO
8. EHF: Denmark, 5th – EURO
9. EHF: Greece, 6th – EURO
10. CAHB (Africa) Continental Place
11. OCHF (Oceania) Continental Place
12. SCAHC (South and Central America) Continental Place
13. SCAHC (South and Central America) Continental Place
14. SCAHC (South and Central America) Continental Place
15. NACHC (North America and the Caribbean) Continental Place
16. NACHC (North America and the Caribbean) Continental Place

Men’s competition
1. Hosts and Reigning World Champions: Croatia
2. AHF: Oman, 1st – Asian Championship
3. AHF: Islamic Republic of Iran, 1st – Asian Championship
4. EHF: Germany, 1st – EURO
5. EHF: Spain, 2nd – EURO
6. EHF: Hungary, 4th – EURO
7. EHF: France, 5th – EURO
8. EHF: Portugal, 6th – EURO
9. EHF: Denmark, 7th – EURO
10. EHF: Italy, 8th – EURO
11. CAHB (Africa) Continental Place
12. OCHF (Oceania) Continental Place
13. SCAHC (South and Central America) Continental Place
14. SCAHC (South and Central America) Continental Place
15. NACHC (North America and the Caribbean) Continental Place
16. NACHC (North America and the Caribbean) Continental Place