[Handball] Announcement of Group Draw for the 11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship

We are pleased to announce that the draw for the preliminary round of the "11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship," which will be held in Romania from July 29, 2026, has been decided at a draw ceremony held at the IHF House in Basel, Switzerland, on May 8.

Overview

A total of 32 countries and regions will participate in this tournament. The Japanese U-18 women's national team has been placed in Group G, alongside Slovakia, the champions of the 2025 U-17 European Championship, Brazil, and Angola. The preliminary round will consist of 8 groups (4 teams each), with the top two teams from each group advancing to the main round.

Group Division

Group A: Croatia, France, Egypt, Fiji

Group B: Denmark, Czech Republic, South Korea, Mexico

Group C: Spain, Germany, Guinea, Uzbekistan

Group D: Montenegro, Argentina, Netherlands, TBD (To Be Determined)

Group E: Hungary, Sweden, Tunisia, Canada

Group F: China, Romania, Kazakhstan, Uruguay

Group G: Slovakia, Japan, Brazil, Angola

Group H: Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Algeria

*Regarding "TBD (To Be Determined)" in Group D, a replacement team will be decided later based on the IHF Competition Regulations, following the withdrawal of Paraguay.

Tournament Outline

Tournament Name: 11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship Period: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Sunday, August 9, 2026 Venue: Romania

About the Japanese Women's U-18 (Youth) National Team

Eligible Players: Players born on or after January 1, 2008

[Activity Schedule] - 1st Training Camp (Member Selection): Late May (scheduled)

- 2nd Training Camp: Late June (scheduled)

- 3rd Training Camp / 1st Overseas Expedition: Late July (scheduled)