Cuba’s women return to IHF World Championship action after winning the 2025 North America and the Caribbean Handball Confederation (NACHC) Women’s Championship held in Mexico last April – it was their third gold medal in six editions of the continental event.

In capital city, Ciudad de Mexico, Cuba faced hosts Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada and the United States of America with the Cubans not losing any of their round-robin games in the preliminary group stage.

They saw off Puerto Rico (35:23), Canada (29:19), Mexico (27:21) and the USA (34:16) which set up a final against the Mexicans, who had finished behind them after the initial stage had concluded. Cuba were the more impressive, racing to a five-goal half-time lead (15:10) and keeping the pace up in the second to outscore their opponents 17:11 and take a 32:21 win, continental title and ticket to Germany/Netherlands 2025 for what will be just their fifth global appearance.

In their previous four they have hovered around the same position they ranked on their debut in 1999 – 21st. This was followed by 22nd (2011), 23rd (2015) and 21st in 2019. However, since Spain 2021, the competition was expanded from 24 to 32 teams and it will be interesting to see if they are able to continue that ranking or even improve.

Hoping to guide them there will be coach Jorge Coll Arencibia, who was also in charge last time out, in 2019, after taking the role back in 2016. Arencibia started coaching at school and with youth teams in his province in 1995 before moving up through the ranks while identifying possible talent for the national teams.

Having described his team in the past as relying on speed, Arencibia has had to deal with the retirement of key players Eyatne Rizo Gomez and Lissandra Luson but can still rely on experience, naming a number of familiar faces in his provisional squad.

Captain, and goalkeeper, Niurkis Mora Arias has the most appearances to her name (36) and plays her club handball for Rouen HB. She is joined by right wing Gleinys Reyes Gonzales, plus Elche right back Rosa de La Caridad Leal Armenteros, amongst others who also appeared at Japan 2019.

Cuba will meet Czechia, Sweden and Brazil in the preliminary group stage, the South American side the most familiar to them.

In total, they have met the Brazilian side nine times, including a 37:21 loss at Brazil 2011. All other eight meetings have come on the wider continental, Pan-American stage, Brazil winning all eight, a 26:22 win in 2015 the most recent. They met Sweden at Denmark 2015, also in the preliminary stage losing 49:25 (23:12). The Cubans have never met Czechia.

Key players: Gleinys Reyes Gonzales (right wing), Rosa de La Caridad Leal Armenteros (right back), Niurkis Mora Arias (goalkeeper), Schakira Robert Reinoso (left wing)

Coach: Jorge Coll Arencibia

Qualification for Germany/Netherlands 2025: 2025 NACHC Women's Handball Championship - Winners

History in tournament: 1999: 21st, 2011: 22nd, 2015: 23rd, 2019: 21st

Group at Germany/Netherlands 2025: Group G (Sweden, Brazil, Cuba, Czechia)