The organising rights for the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships have been awarded to the Croatian Handball Federation, following the decision taken by the IHF Council on 18 June 2025.

The 2026 Beach Handball World Championships will unite the world’s top teams in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, where they will compete for the coveted titles. This event will further enhance Croatia’s reputation as a leading nation and ambassador for beach handball, reflecting the country’s rich tradition and passion for the sport.

The IHF looks forward to working closely with the Croatian Handball Federation to deliver an unforgettable championship that will inspire new generations and showcase the very best of beach handball. Preparations are already underway to ensure a world-class experience for athletes, officials, and fans alike. Qualification details and participating nations will be announced in due course.

This will mark the first time Croatia hosts the IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships, and the sixth occasion the event will take place in Europe—following previous editions in Spain (2008), Türkiye (2010), Hungary (2016), Russia (2018) and Greece (2022).