The semi-final quarter has been completed at the 2026 IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, with Spain and Chile joining Japan and Portugal, with all four teams securing their spot in the quartet for the first time.

While Chile secured a clear win against USA, 2:0, Spain had to sweat and withstand a strong comeback from former world champions Brazil, clinching a 2:1 win.

QUARTER-FINALS
Brazil vs Spain 1:2 (7:9; 8:3; 2:3)

Brazil had the experience and the grit, but they could simply could not convert their chances in the match against Spain, especially in the first and in the third sets, in crucial moments, when the European side got the best of their opponents.

In the first set, Brazil’s efficiency was hampered by a plethora of missed shots, but still, after six minutes and 30 seconds, they were tied with Spain, 4:4. However, Lorenzo Envo Edjang Nsa managed to score a spin shot, while Miguel García Gomar converted a penalty, and Spain clinched the win, 9:7.

Brazil changed their line in the second set and with Jordean Rodrigues scoring and Marcelo Amaral saving two shots for a 66% saving efficiency, the South American side came back into the fold and secured an 8:3 win, pushing the match into the decisive set.

But once again, Brazil were stopped in their tracks by an excellent goalkeeper in Francisco Javier Cazurro Revuelta, the Player of the Match, who made three key saves, having stopped nine shots for a 47% saving efficiency.

And in attack, Agustín Alejos Alonso and Edjang Nsa managed to score, to help Spain take the 3:2 lead, despite Rodrigues scoring once again close to the end of the regular five minutes, to secure a 2:1 win on sets.

In their maiden appearance at the IHF Four-a-side Wheelchair Handball World Championship, Spain managed to secure a place in the semi-finals, and will have a chance to fight for at least one medal.

Chile vs United States of America 2:0 (8:0; 13:5)

Chile completed the quartet of teams participating in the semi-finals of the 2026 IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, with a dominating win against last edition’s runners-up, United States of America.

It was a match which was dominated from start to finish by the South American team, which took early control and never looked back. It was a complete dominance from Chile, which did not even concede a point in the first set, as Jesus Diaz saved four shots and Jorge Carrasco added two more saves.

And in attack, Luz Carrasco, arguably the top female performer in the competition, had four points, being impossible to defend, scoring half of Chile’s total points. While the attack was not truly the most efficient, Chile rotated their players and secured an 8:0 win in the first set, heading into the second with plenty of resources left.

The USA tried to keep close in the second set, but only managed it for the first two minutes, and then Chile went on a 10:2 run which basically sealed the deal, as Jorge Carrasco finished the match with eight saves and a 80% saving efficiency, and seven points scored.

The South American side now secured their maiden semi-finals berth and a chance for their first medal in history at the IHF Wheelchair Handball World Championship, facing Spain in the second semi-final of the competition.