15 games will be played on the second day of the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach handball World Championships in Zagreb as the preliminary group stage concludes at Lake Jarun.

Three spots remain open in men’s main round

Going into the final day of preliminary group action, three of the four preliminary groups in the men’s competition feature games which effectively serve as play-offs for the final main round spots at Croatia 2026.

Groups A, C and D all have two teams at the top with two wins from two and direct tickets to the last 12 of the competition. 

In group A, Spain play Portugal, group C sees Brazil take on Germany and France and Croatia go head-to-head in group D all to win their respective groups and take maximum points through to the main round.

But behind them lies some dramatic clashes as Islamic Republic of Iran play the USA for a place in the next round in group A, Argentina and debutants Italy do the same in group C, backed up by the Asian and Oceania title-holders clash for the main round spot from group D between Australia and Oman.

Group B was fully-decided on the opening day as Puerto Rico cannot now overcome fourth place due to their head-to-head group record, as Denmark, Tunisia and Hungary can all battle it out for top spot.

Chance for Philippines and Cook Islands to make history as preliminary group stage concludes

With Benin confirming their withdrawal from the event due to visa issues in Croatia, group D is already confirmed with Argentina, Philippines and Denmark all through to the main round ahead of their clashes on day two. Philippines have the chance to top the group if they beat Denmark in the midday clash.

Group C is also confirmed too, with the USA dropping into the consolation round after the first day results. This means that should Brazil beat the USA in their third match; they will top the group followed by whomever wins between Norway and Greece in the early morning match-up

Three of the four games in group A on the opening day ended with shoot-outs and the excitement will continue with Germany and Netherlands playing off to see who will win the group, while Vietnam and Uruguay play-off for the final main round spot.

And in group B it is the same as group A, Spain take on Croatia to decide the winners, while debutants Cook Islands face Puerto Rico with the winners moving into the main round and losers going into the consolation round.

All games from Croatia 2026 will be streamed live and free (no login required) on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel (geo-restrictions will apply) click HERE .

2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships: Match schedule

Wednesday 24 June 2026

PRELIMINARY GROUPS

Men’s Competition
1100 GER v BRA, ESP v POR, ARG v ITA, IRI v USA
1300 CRO v FRA, DEN v TUN, OMA v AUS, PUR v HUN

Women’s Competition
1000 GER v NED, NOR v GRE, BRA v USA, VIE v URU
1200 ESP v CRO, DEN v PHI, COK v PUR

All times local (CEST). Competition Management has the right to change the order, the court and the time of the matches.