Draws Determined for 19th Men's Junior and 11th Men's Youth Asian Handball Championships
On May 13, the Asian Handball Federation (AHF) held the draw for the 19th Men's Junior (U-21) and 11th Men's Youth (U-19) Asian Championships. The U-21 tournament will be in China in July, and the U-19 in Uzbekistan in August. Both events serve as qualifiers for the 2027 World Championships. The Japan U-21 team was drawn into Group B with South Korea and Iran, while the U-19 team will face Kuwait and Bahrain in their Group B.
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- 📰 Published: May 15, 2026 at 23:00
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On Wednesday, May 13, in Almaty, Kazakhstan, the Asian Handball Federation (AHF), the organizer of the tournaments, held the preliminary round draw for the 19th Asian Men's Junior (U-21) Handball Championship and the 11th Asian Men's Youth (U-19) Handball Championship.
Men's Junior (U-21)
The 19th Asian Men's Junior Handball Championship will be held from Wednesday, July 15, to Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China.
Representatives from 13 countries and regions will compete for the Asian title. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 26th Men's Junior (U-21) Handball World Championship, with the top four teams earning a spot in the competition to be held in North Macedonia from June 23 to July 4, 2027.
Japan will compete in Group B of the preliminary round alongside South Korea, Qatar, and others.
[Men's Junior Asian Championship - Preliminary Round Groups]
Group A: China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong
Group B: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, India, United Arab Emirates
Men's Youth (U-19)
The 11th Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship, with 11 participating countries and regions, will be held from Monday, August 10, to Friday, August 21, 2026, in Andijan, Uzbekistan.
Like the Junior Championship, it is a battle for the top spot in Asia and also serves as a qualifier for the 12th IHF Men's Youth (U-19) Handball World Championship. The top four teams will qualify for the tournament, scheduled for July-August 2027 (venue pending).
Japan will compete in Group B with Kuwait, Bahrain, and others.
[Men's Youth Asian Championship - Preliminary Round Groups]
Group A: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Chinese Taipei, China
Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong
Detailed match schedules and times for both tournaments will be announced at a later date.
Men's Junior (U-21)
The 19th Asian Men's Junior Handball Championship will be held from Wednesday, July 15, to Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Chuzhou, Anhui Province, China.
Representatives from 13 countries and regions will compete for the Asian title. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 26th Men's Junior (U-21) Handball World Championship, with the top four teams earning a spot in the competition to be held in North Macedonia from June 23 to July 4, 2027.
Japan will compete in Group B of the preliminary round alongside South Korea, Qatar, and others.
[Men's Junior Asian Championship - Preliminary Round Groups]
Group A: China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong
Group B: Japan, South Korea, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, India, United Arab Emirates
Men's Youth (U-19)
The 11th Asian Men's Youth Handball Championship, with 11 participating countries and regions, will be held from Monday, August 10, to Friday, August 21, 2026, in Andijan, Uzbekistan.
Like the Junior Championship, it is a battle for the top spot in Asia and also serves as a qualifier for the 12th IHF Men's Youth (U-19) Handball World Championship. The top four teams will qualify for the tournament, scheduled for July-August 2027 (venue pending).
Japan will compete in Group B with Kuwait, Bahrain, and others.
[Men's Youth Asian Championship - Preliminary Round Groups]
Group A: Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Chinese Taipei, China
Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong
Detailed match schedules and times for both tournaments will be announced at a later date.