[Handball] Announcement of Group Draw for the 11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship
The draw for the preliminary round of the 11th IHF Women's Youth (U-18) Handball World Championship, to be held in Romania from July 29, 2026, has been decided. The Japanese U-18 women's team is in Group G with Slovakia, Brazil, and Angola.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 21:00
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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)
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)