The 2027 IHF Men’s Handball World Championship in Germany is taking shape: 19 of the 32 participating nations have already secured their qualification. The tournament will take place from 13 to 31 January 2027 across six German host cities: Munich, Kiel, Stuttgart, Magdeburg, Hanover and Cologne.
The preliminary round will be played in Munich, Kiel, Stuttgart and Magdeburg, while the main round and final stage will be held in Hanover and Cologne. As host nation, Germany automatically qualifies for the tournament, as does reigning world champion Denmark. The remaining places have been allocated through the continental championships. With more than half of the spots already filled, the line-up for the 2027 World Championship is well underway – the final qualification places will be decided in the coming months.
Handball World Championship 2027: European Nations Still Competing for Qualification
In Europe, the first qualification spots were determined by the final standings of the EHF EURO 2026. Alongside Germany and Denmark, Croatia, Iceland, Portugal and Sweden have secured direct qualification for the World Championship.
The remaining ten European places will be decided in play-offs from 13 to 17 May 2026. Among the scheduled match-ups are France vs. Czech Republic and Switzerland vs. Italy. Spain will face the winner of the tie between Georgia and Israel. Norway, Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands are also still in the qualification process.
With a total of 16 participating nations, Europe traditionally provides the largest contingent at the Handball World Championship and already delivers high-level competition during qualification. The play-offs in spring 2026 are therefore considered a decisive phase on the road to the 2027 World Championship.
These European teams have already qualified for the 2027 World Championship:
- - Germany (host nation)
- - Denmark (defending champions)
- - Croatia
- - Iceland
- - Portugal
- - Sweden
These Nations Have Already Qualified for the 2027 World Championship
Outside Europe, 13 additional teams have already secured their places at the 2027 tournament.
In Asia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Japan qualified.
Africa will be represented by Egypt, Tunisia, Cape Verde, Algeria and Angola.
In South and Central America, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay have booked their tickets to Germany.
One qualification place for North America as well as two wildcards awarded by the International Handball Federation (IHF) are still open. Once the European play-offs are completed in spring 2026, the full line-up of participating teams will be confirmed. The mix of established top nations and emerging teams promises a highly competitive international tournament.
Asian nations qualified for the 2027 World Championship:
- - Bahrain
- - Qatar
- - Kuwait
- - Japan
African representatives at the 2027 World Championship:
- - Egypt
- - Tunisia
- - Cape Verde
- - Algeria
- - Angola
These South and Central American teams have qualified for the 2027 World Championship:
- - Argentina
- - Brazil
- - Chile
- - Uruguay
Venues, Draw and Tickets for the 2027 Handball World Championship
The draw for the preliminary round groups will take place on 10 June 2026 in Munich. The qualified teams will be allocated into eight preliminary round groups.
It has already been confirmed that Germany will play its preliminary round matches in Munich. If the team coached by Alfred Gislason advances to the main round, it will continue the tournament in Cologne.
Defending champions Denmark will begin their campaign in Kiel to allow Danish fans a shorter travel distance. Should Denmark reach the main round, the team would play in Hanover. From the quarter-finals onwards, all matches will be held at the LANXESS Arena in Cologne.
Tickets for matches involving the German team as well as for the final round are currently sold out. However, tickets for other matchdays in Munich, Kiel, Stuttgart, Magdeburg and Hanover are still available.
The 2027 Handball World Championship in Germany is already shaping up to be one of the major sporting highlights of 2027.
Tickets are available via the official tournament website at www.handball2027.com. Tickets can only be purchased through the official online ticket shop on the website.
Further information:
Images: Anze Malovrh/ Sasa Pahic Szabo