This is what you need to know about the 2025 Handball World Cup

The handball elite gathers in Denmark, Croatia and Norway. You can find an overview of everything you need to know about the 2025 World Cup here.

Frankfurt – The sports year 2025 has an absolute highlight right at the beginning. The 29th Handball World Championship will take place in Denmark, Croatia and Norway from January 14th to February 2nd. Here you will find out everything you need to know about the major tournament – including the German team, which has legitimate hopes of winning the title.

Premiere in three countries: This is what you need to know about the 2025 Handball World Cup

32 national teams are taking part in the World Cup, which is taking place in three countries for the first time. With 18 teams (including the three hosts), Europe not only has the most of all continents, but also the reigning world champions, Denmark. In 2023, the Danes beat France 34:29 in the final of the official edition. Five African and four Asian nations also qualified. Two teams from North America and the Caribbean secured a ticket, and three from South and Central America.

In addition to the title holder, France, Norway, Spain and Germany are among the big favorites to win the World Cup. Italy and Tunisia from Group B will play the opening game on January 14th (6 p.m.) in Herning. The German team (Group A) enters the competition the following evening (8.30 p.m.) against the Polish selection. Below you will find an overview of all groups in the preliminary round of the World Cup (January 14th to 20th):

These are the groups of the preliminary round of the 2025 Handball World Cup

When will the games of the 2025 Handball World Cup take place?

The best three teams in each preliminary group qualify for the main round (January 21st to 26th), while the last placed teams play for places 25 to 32. In the main round, the eight best countries will be determined in four groups from January 21st, which will compete in the quarter-finals on January 28th and 29th. Two nations advance from each main round relay.

The semi-final pairings will take place on January 30th and 31st. The final will take place on February 2nd. (You can also find all matches of the 2025 Handball World Cup prepared in our detailed schedule.)

The most important dates of the Handball World Cup at a glance:

Opening game: January 14, 2026 (Italy vs. Tunisia (6 p.m.))

Preliminary round: January 14th to January 20th, 2025

Main round: January 21st to 26th, 2026

President’s Cup and placement games: January 21 to 28, 2025

Quarterfinals: 28/29 January 2025

Semifinals: 30/31 January 2025

Game for third place: February 2, 2025

Final: February 2, 2025

The 2025 Handball World Cup will take place in five halls in three countries

The tournament will be held across the European continent in three countries and five cities: Denmark, Croatia and Norway. Herning, the neighboring German country, provides a venue. Two preliminary round groups (including the opening game) (A, B) and one main round group (I) will be played in the Jyske Bank Boxes there.

Croatia provides three of the World Cup venues: the Arena Zagreb, the Varazdin Arena and the Sportska dvorana Zatika in Porec. The Croatian capital will host two preliminary rounds (D, H) and one main round relay (IV), as well as two quarter-finals and one semi-final. In Varazdin, the parties decide on a group in the preliminary round (D) and main round (II). In addition to Group C, Porec also hosts the matches in the President’s Cup and the placement games.

Oslo also managed two preliminary round relays (E, F) and one of the main rounds (III). In addition, two quarter-final games, the second semi-final, the game for third place and, most recently, the final will take place in the Unity Arena in Norway’s capital.

The halls of the 2025 Handball World Cup at a glance:

(wuc)