2026 IHF Women's U18 Handball World Championship

For the U20 edition, see 2026 IHF Women's U20 Handball World Championship.

IHF Women's U18 Handball World Championship

Tournament details
Host country	Romania
Venues	4 (in 4 host cities)
Dates	29 July – 9 August
Teams	32 (from 6 confederations)
Final positions
Champions	Spain (2nd title)
Runners-up	Montenegro
Third place	Denmark
Fourth place	Egypt
Tournament statistics
Matches played	116
Goals scored	6,459 (55.68 per match)
Top scorers	Lauryn Mierzwa (71 goals)
Awards
Best player	Elene Fresco

The 2026 IHF Women's U18 Handball World Championship was the 11th edition of the IHF Women's U18 Handball World Championship, the biennial international handball championship organised under the aegis of IHF for the women's U18 national teams across the world. It was held in Romania for the first time, from 29 July to 9 August 2026.

For the third time, 32 teams took part, following the expansion in 2022. Continental championships also served as qualifications for the world championship and were played between July 2025 and April 2026. The hosts, Romania, qualified automatically. Fiji and Mexico made their debut, with the former becoming the first Pacific island nation to take part.

Spain were the defending champions, having beaten Denmark 23–22 at the 2024 final in Chuzhou, and defended their title with a win over Montenegro in the final, 26–23.

Qualification

Team	Qualification method	Date of qualification	Appearance(s)				Previous best performance
			Total	First	Last	Streak
Japan	2025 Asian Youth Championship	19 July 2025	9th	2006	2024	2	Seventh place (2006)
South Korea			10th	2006		10	Champions (2022)
China		21 July 2025	5th	2014		2	15th place (2024)
Kazakhstan			8th	2010		8	16th place (2010, 2012)
Croatia	2025 European U-17 Championship	4 August 2025	7th	2012	2024	7	Seventh place (2024)
Switzerland			3rd	2022		3	14th place (2024)
Montenegro		5 August 2025	6th	2012		4	Fourth place (2014)
Denmark			10th	2006		10	Champions (2006, 2012)
France			10th	2006		10	Fourth place (2006, 2008, 2010, 2024)
Hungary			8th	2010		8	Runners-up (2018)
Slovakia			5th	2008	2022	1	Seventh place (2008)
Spain			7th	2008	2024	5	Champions (2024)
Sweden		7 August 2025	8th	2010		8	Champions (2010)
Serbia			3rd	2008		2	Runners-up (2008)
Germany			7th	2010		6	Runners-up (2014)
Czech Republic			4th	2012		3	Ninth place (2024)
Netherlands		8 August 2025	8th	2008		4	Third place (2010)
Slovenia			4th	2006	2022	1	Fifth place (2006)
Egypt	2025 African Youth Championship	18 September 2025	5th	2016	2024	5	Seventh place (2022)
Tunisia			5th	2006	2018	1	Eleventh place (2006)
Angola			8th	2008	2024	2	Eighth place (2008)
Guinea		19 September 2025	3rd	2022		3	29th place (2022)
Fiji	2025 IHF Trophy U17 – Oceania	16 October 2025	1st	Debut
Canada	2025 IHF Trophy U17 – North America and the Caribbean	15 November 2025	3rd	2006	2024	2	Tenth place (2006)
Mexico			1st	Debut
Argentina	2025 South and Central American Youth Championship	19 November 2025	9th	2006	2024	6	Sixth place (2006)
Brazil			9th	2006		3	Seventh place (2014)
Uruguay			4th	2010	2022	1	Twelfth place (2010)
Uzbekistan	2025 IHF Trophy U17 – Asia	22 November 2025	4th	2014	2022	1	24th place (2014, 2016, 2022)
Romania	Host nation	9 January 2026	8th	2006	2024	7	Champions (2014)
Algeria	2025 African Youth Championship		2nd	2022		1	32nd place (2022)
Portugal	Wildcard		4th	2012	2022	1	Eleventh place (2014)

Draw

The draw was held on 8 May 2026 in Basel, Switzerland.

Seeding

The seeding was announced on 16 March 2026.

Pot 1	Pot 2	Pot 3	Pot 4
Slovakia Croatia Montenegro Spain Switzerland Denmark Hungary China	France Czechia Argentina Serbia Romania Germany Sweden Japan	Netherlands Slovenia Brazil South Korea Egypt Kazakhstan Tunisia Guinea	Uzbekistan Uruguay Angola Canada Mexico Portugal Fiji Algeria

Referees

The referees were announced on 20 April 2026.

Referees
Argentina/Uruguay	Agustín Converse Germán Araújo
Brazil	Henrique Godoy Daniel Magalhães
Croatia	Matija Hodžić Matija Brodić
Cuba	Raymel Reyes Alexis Zuñiga
Denmark	Jacob Pagh Karl Thygesen
Egypt	Mohamed Esmail Mohamed Saleh
France	Titouan Picard Pierre Vauchez
Germany	Lucas Hellbusch Darnel Jansen

Referees
Greece	Ioannis Fotakidis Charalampos Kinatzidis
Hungary	Rita Dáné Zsófia Marton
Japan	Hideki Furukawa Tetsuro Murata
Kuwait	Maali Al-Enezi Dalal Al-Naseem
North Macedonia	Danielo Bozhinovski Viktor Nachevski
Montenegro	Slađane Martinović Milice Pavićević
Netherlands	William Weijmans Rick Wolbertus

Referees
Norway	Andreas Borge Magnus Nygren
Oman	Omer Al-Shahi Khamis Al-Wahibi
Romania	Mihaela Chiruță Georgiana Murariu
Romania	Mihai Pîrvu Mihai Potîrniche
Slovenia	Žan Pukšič Miha Satler
Sweden	Alice Watson Line Welin
Tunisia	Roua Haggui Sahar Haggui

Squads

Main article: 2026 IHF Women's U18 Handball World Championship squads

Preliminary round

All times are local (UTC+3).

Group A

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Egypt	3	3	0	0	139	65	+74	6	Main round
2	France	3	2	0	1	108	58	+50	4
3	Croatia	3	1	0	2	118	60	+58	2	Presidents Cup
4	Fiji	3	0	0	3	23	205	−182	0

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 11:45	Croatia	24–27	Egypt	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 90 Referees: Fotakidis, Kinatzidis (GRE)
	Jerković 6	(13–13)	Abdallah 8
	2×	Report	3×

29 July 2026 14:00	France	55–2	Fiji	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 80 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	Mpioso 10	(27–1)	R. Logavatu, Vuniwai 1
		Report	2× 2×

---

30 July 2026 11:45	Fiji	4–67	Croatia	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 90 Referees: Haggui, Haggui (TUN)
	Buituni 2	(2–33)	Hajdinjak 19
	1× 5×	Report

30 July 2026 14:00	France	24–29	Egypt	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 350 Referees: Bozhinovski, Nachevski (MKD)
	Berthelot, Saramito 4	(11–14)	Abdelnaser 7
	2×	Report	4×

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1 August 2026 11:45	Egypt	83–17	Fiji	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 160 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	Abouelazaiem 17	(43–9)	Buituni 9
	2×	Report	7×

1 August 2026 14:00	Croatia	27–29	France	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 195 Referees: Dáné, Marton (HUN)
	Košćec 7	(14–11)	Buisson 7
	1× 3×	Report	1×

Group B

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Denmark	3	3	0	0	103	63	+40	6	Main round
2	South Korea	3	2	0	1	96	73	+23	4
3	Czech Republic	3	1	0	2	86	63	+23	2	Presidents Cup
4	Mexico	3	0	0	3	43	129	−86	0

Updated to match(es) played on 30 July 2026. Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 16:15	Denmark	33–32	South Korea	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 235 Referees: Haggui, Haggui (TUN)
	Spellerberg 9	(15–13)	Kim E. 9
	1× 2×	Report	2×

29 July 2026 18:30	Czech Republic	42–16	Mexico	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 185 Referees: Bozhinovski, Nachevski (MKD)
	Máčalová 9	(22–5)	three players 3
		Report	1×

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30 July 2026 16:15	Mexico	10–47	Denmark	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 120 Referees: Dáné, Marton (HUN)
	Aguilera 4	(5–24)	Poulsen 10
	1×	Report	2×

30 July 2026 18:30	Czech Republic	23–24	South Korea	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 260 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	Königová 6	(13–10)	Kim E., Lee S. 5
	5× 1×	Report	4×

---

1 August 2026 16:15	South Korea	40–17	Mexico	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 105 Referees: Fotakidis, Kinatzidis (GRE)
	four players 5	(19–12)	five players 3
	1×	Report	2×

1 August 2026 18:30	Denmark	23–21	Czech Republic	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 310 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	Nørby 7	(11–14)	Janků, Königová 5
	1× 3×	Report	2×

Group C

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Spain	3	3	0	0	100	58	+42	6	Main round
2	Germany	3	2	0	1	104	61	+43	4
3	Guinea	3	0	1	2	55	85	−30	1	Presidents Cup
4	Uzbekistan	3	0	1	2	57	112	−55	1

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Notes:

29 July 2026 11:45	Spain	27–12	Guinea	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 70 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Vladu 5	(14–2)	Soumah 7
	1×	Report	8×

29 July 2026 14:00	Germany	44–13	Uzbekistan	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 79 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Overbeck 10	(20–4)	Keldiyorova 5
	1×	Report	2× 2×

---

30 July 2026 11:45	Uzbekistan	22–46	Spain	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 72 Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Bayjanova 9	(12–25)	Vladu 8
	1×	Report	3×

30 July 2026 14:00	Germany	36–21	Guinea	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 85 Referees: Godoy, Magalhães (BRA)
	Overbeck, Stenzel 8	(18–8)	Soumah 6
		Report	4×

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1 August 2026 11:45	Guinea	22–22	Uzbekistan	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 56 Referees: Borge, Nygren (NOR)
	Mansare 7	(12–11)	Keldiyorova 7
	6×	Report	3×

1 August 2026 14:00	Spain	27–24	Germany	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 110 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Berroeta, Ferrer 5	(13–11)	Rusko 6
	1×	Report	4×

Group D

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Montenegro	3	3	0	0	90	79	+11	6	Main round
2	Netherlands	3	2	0	1	86	76	+10	4
3	Portugal	3	1	0	2	90	79	+11	2	Presidents Cup
4	Argentina	3	0	0	3	64	96	−32	0

Updated to match(es) played on 30 July 2026. Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 16:15	Montenegro	27–26	Netherlands	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 120 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Burzanović 8	(14–12)	Kwakman 8
	1× 2×	Report	3×

29 July 2026 18:30	Argentina	18–34	Portugal	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Giménez 5	(9–17)	Bernardino 10
	3×	Report	5×

---

30 July 2026 16:15	Portugal	28–31	Montenegro	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 86 Referees: Borge, Nygren (NOR)
	Bernardino, Lopes 8	(12–19)	Dragnić 11
	6×	Report	3×

30 July 2026 18:30	Argentina	21–30	Netherlands	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 82 Referees: Al-Enezi, Al-Naseem (KUW)
	Podesta 5	(11–17)	Kwakman, Ostojic 4
	1×	Report	4×

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1 August 2026 16:15	Netherlands	30–28	Portugal	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 115 Referees: Bozhinovski, Nachevski (MKD)
	Kwakman 8	(15–12)	Bernardino 6
	7×	Report	3×

1 August 2026 18:30	Montenegro	32–25	Argentina	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 86 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Savić 7	(15–11)	Podesta 5
	3×	Report	2×

Group E

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Hungary	3	3	0	0	128	73	+55	6	Main round
2	Sweden	3	2	0	1	98	68	+30	4
3	Tunisia	3	1	0	2	80	89	−9	2	Presidents Cup
4	Canada	3	0	0	3	45	121	−76	0

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 11:45	Hungary	40–29	Tunisia	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 57 Referees: Hodžić, Brodić (CRO)
	Szigeti 11	(16–12)	Ouni, Slama 9
	7× 1×	Report	6× 1×

29 July 2026 14:00	Sweden	36–14	Canada	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 120 Referees: Martinović, Pavićević (MNE)
	Karlsson 6	(16–9)	Morisette-Davies 6
	7×	Report	8×

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30 July 2026 11:45	Canada	15–53	Hungary	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 74 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Morisette-Davies 7	(7–25)	Léránt, Somogyi 7
	1×	Report

30 July 2026 14:00	Sweden	33–19	Tunisia	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 69 Referees: Hellbusch, Jansen (GER)
	three players 5	(13–6)	Chaaban, Slama 7
	5×	Report	1× 2×

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1 August 2026 11:45	Tunisia	32–16	Canada	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 55 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Ouni 9	(15–7)	three players 3
	5×	Report	2×

1 August 2026 14:00	Hungary	35–29	Sweden	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 117 Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Keller, Szigeti 8	(21–16)	Elmblad, Wong 5
	3×	Report	1× 3×

Group F

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	China	3	3	0	0	108	63	+45	6	Main round
2	Romania (H)	3	2	0	1	91	60	+31	4
3	Kazakhstan	3	1	0	2	56	105	−49	2	Presidents Cup
4	Uruguay	3	0	0	3	63	90	−27	0

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts

29 July 2026 16:15	China	43–17	Kazakhstan	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 88 Referees: Hellbusch, Jansen (GER)
	Zhang S. 8	(22–9)	Kopzhan 6
	1×	Report	3×

29 July 2026 18:30	Romania	30–16	Uruguay	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 314 Referees: Al-Enezi, Al-Naseem (KUW)
	Sălăjan 7	(12–8)	Olmos, Marti 4
	3×	Report	4×

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30 July 2026 16:15	Uruguay	22–34	China	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 59 Referees: Hodžić, Brodić (CRO)
	Olmos 8	(8–18)	Zhang S. 9
	1× 1×	Report	7×

30 July 2026 18:30	Romania	37–13	Kazakhstan	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 389 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Lefter 7	(14–9)	Kopzhan 4
	2×	Report	4×

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1 August 2026 16:15	Kazakhstan	26–25	Uruguay	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 125 Referees: Martinović, Pavićević (MNE)
	Kelimberdi 13	(14–16)	Olmos 6
	5×	Report	1× 1×

1 August 2026 18:30	China	31–24	Romania	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 720 Referees: Godoy, Magalhães (BRA)
	Sun 7	(17–10)	Stoican 6
	6× 1×	Report	1× 4×

Group G

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Slovakia	3	3	0	0	97	66	+31	6	Main round
2	Japan	3	2	0	1	100	78	+22	4
3	Brazil	3	1	0	2	89	84	+5	2	Presidents Cup
4	Angola	3	0	0	3	51	109	−58	0

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 11:45	Slovakia	32–25	Brazil	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Gogová, Karkušová 7	(17–15)	Isab. Olveira, Isad. Olveira 4
	4×	Report	5×

29 July 2026 14:00	Japan	39–19	Angola	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 423 Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE)
	four players 6	(19–9)	Kaneculo 6
	2×	Report	7×

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30 July 2026 11:45	Angola	11–33	Slovakia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 324 Referees: Esmail, Saleh (EGY)
	Carlos 3	(4–19)	Nemethová 7
	4×	Report	1×

30 July 2026 14:00	Japan	31–27	Brazil	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 378 Referees: Pîrvu, Potîrniche (ROU)
	Hamaguchi 11	(15–15)	De Melo, Isab. Olveira 5
	1×	Report	3×

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1 August 2026 11:45	Brazil	37–21	Angola	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 221 Referees: Reyes, Zuñiga (CUB)
	Rios 6	(21–7)	four players 4
	1× 1×	Report	5×

1 August 2026 14:00	Slovakia	32–30	Japan	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 232 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	Bölcskei, Komlós 6	(18–17)	Hamaguchi 9
	2×	Report	4×

Group H

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Switzerland	3	3	0	0	90	63	+27	6	Main round
2	Slovenia	3	2	0	1	85	63	+22	4
3	Serbia	3	1	0	2	63	79	−16	2	Presidents Cup
4	Algeria	3	0	0	3	54	87	−33	0

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

29 July 2026 16:15	Switzerland	31–28	Slovenia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 487 Referees: Esmail, Saleh (EGY)
	Mierzwa 14	(17–15)	Vuković 9
	1×	Report	3×

29 July 2026 18:30	Serbia	28–22	Algeria	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 532 Referees: Reyes, Zuñiga (CUB)
	Andrić 6	(13–13)	three players 4
	3×	Report	3×

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30 July 2026 16:15	Algeria	14–28	Switzerland	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 432 Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE)
	Bouda, Mansouri 3	(7–13)	Egli 8
	5×	Report	1× 1×

30 July 2026 18:30	Serbia	14–26	Slovenia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 453 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	Andrić, Bajić 3	(7–11)	Mehlin 8
	7×	Report	6×

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1 August 2026 16:15	Slovenia	31–18	Algeria	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 324 Referees: Pîrvu, Potîrniche (ROU)
	Markežič 5	(16–8)	Sid 8
	3×	Report	3×

1 August 2026 18:30	Switzerland	31–21	Serbia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 377 Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Mierzwa 10	(13–11)	Bajić, Mirković 4
	2×	Report	8×

President's Cup

Points obtained in the matches against the team from the group are taken over.

Group I

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Croatia	3	3	0	0	139	45	+94	6	17–20th place semifinals
2	Czech Republic	3	2	0	1	124	56	+68	4	21st–24th place semifinals
3	Mexico	3	1	0	2	72	92	−20	2	25–28th place semifinals
4	Fiji	3	0	0	3	22	164	−142	0	29th–32nd place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

3 August 2026 16:15	Croatia	38–17	Mexico	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 105 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	Jurlina 6	(19–8)	three players 3
		Report	4×

3 August 2026 18:30	Czech Republic	58–6	Fiji	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 100 Referees: Esmail, Saleh (EGY)
	Janků 11	(27–3)	Vuniwai 4
		Report	3×

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4 August 2026 16:15	Croatia	34–24	Czech Republic	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 110 Referees: Borge, Nygren (NOR)
	Košćec 8	(20–16)	Máčalová 5
	1× 1×	Report	2×

4 August 2026 18:30	Fiji	12–39	Mexico	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 45 Referees: Hellbusch, Jansen (GER)
	Matakarawa, Raogo 3	(9–23)	Sánchez 7
	2×	Report

Group II

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Portugal	3	3	0	0	100	64	+36	6	17–20th place semifinals
2	Argentina	3	2	0	1	80	79	+1	4	21st–24th place semifinals
3	Guinea	3	0	1	2	66	74	−8	1	25–28th place semifinals
4	Uzbekistan	3	0	1	2	69	98	−29	1	29th–32nd place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Notes:

3 August 2026 16:15	Guinea	21–24	Argentina	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 311 Referees: Hodžić, Brodić (CRO)
	Diallo 8	(10–15)	Podesta 7
	4× 2×	Report	3×

3 August 2026 18:30	Portugal	38–23	Uzbekistan	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 378 Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE)
	Bernardino 12	(19–14)	Keldiyorova 8
	2×	Report	3×

---

4 August 2026 16:15	Guinea	23–28	Portugal	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 224 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Diallo 8	(11–20)	Lopes 9
		Report	2×

4 August 2026 18:30	Uzbekistan	24–38	Argentina	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 267 Referees: Martinović, Pavićević (MNE)
	Keldiyorova 6	(11–21)	Cabrera 7
	2×	Report	1×

Group III

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Tunisia	3	3	0	0	84	61	+23	6	17–20th place semifinals
2	Kazakhstan	3	2	0	1	79	80	−1	4	21st–24th place semifinals
3	Canada	3	1	0	2	64	79	−15	2	25–28th place semifinals
4	Uruguay	3	0	0	3	64	71	−7	0	29th–32nd place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

3 August 2026 11:45	Tunisia	23–19	Uruguay	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 125 Referees: Borge, Nygren (NOR)
	Rebai 4	(11–10)	Olmos 7
	1× 5× 1×	Report	6×

3 August 2026 14:00	Kazakhstan	27–26	Canada	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 115 Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Kyrgyzbay 10	(15–13)	Morisette-Davies 9
	3×	Report	2×

---

4 August 2026 11:45	Tunisia	29–26	Kazakhstan	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 60 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	Ouni 13	(16–11)	Kyrgyzbay 7
	3×	Report	1×

4 August 2026 14:00	Canada	22–20	Uruguay	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 120 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Morisette-Davies 6	(12–11)	Olmos 5
	2×	Report	2×

Group IV

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Brazil	3	3	0	0	106	64	+42	6	17–20th place semifinals
2	Serbia	3	2	0	1	81	76	+5	4	21st–24th place semifinals
3	Angola	3	1	0	2	78	88	−10	2	25–28th place semifinals
4	Algeria	3	0	0	3	63	100	−37	0	29th–32nd place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

3 August 2026 11:45	Brazil	41–23	Algeria	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 187 Referees: Martinović, Pavićević (MNE)
	Monteiro 10	(22–9)	Halou 7
	2×	Report	4×

3 August 2026 14:00	Serbia	33–26	Angola	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 265 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Radanović 7	(14–13)	Ambrosio 7
	1×	Report	3×

---

4 August 2026 11:45	Brazil	28–20	Serbia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 156 Referees: Reyes, Zuñiga (CUB)
	Rios 5	(14–6)	Andrić, Damnjanović 4
	2×	Report	3×

4 August 2026 14:00	Angola	31–18	Algeria	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 219 Referees: Hodžić, Brodić (CRO)
	Kaneculo 6	(13–10)	Bouda 5
	2×	Report

Main round

Points obtained in the matches against the team from the group are taken over.

Group I

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Egypt	3	3	0	0	80	73	+7	6	Quarterfinals
2	Denmark	3	2	0	1	76	74	+2	4
3	France	3	1	0	2	66	68	−2	2	9–12th place semifinals
4	South Korea	3	0	0	3	77	84	−7	0	13–16th place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

3 August 2026 11:45	Egypt	28–27	South Korea	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 76 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	El-Badry 6	(13–13)	Kim E. 7
	1× 5×	Report	3×

3 August 2026 14:00	Denmark	21–19	France	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 74 Referees: Hellbusch, Jansen (GER)
	Hansen 5	(13–7)	Buisson 4
	4×	Report	3×

---

4 August 2026 11:45	Egypt	23–22	Denmark	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 68 Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Aboyoussef 8	(11–11)	Spellerberg 8
	2×	Report	2×

4 August 2026 14:00	France	23–18	South Korea	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 85 Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Buisson 11	(6–9)	Lee J. 5
	1×	Report	1×

Group II

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Spain	3	3	0	0	92	83	+9	6	Quarterfinals
2	Montenegro	3	2	0	1	87	87	0	4
3	Netherlands	3	1	0	2	81	83	−2	2	9–12th place semifinals
4	Germany	3	0	0	3	76	83	−7	0	13–16th place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.

3 August 2026 16:15	Spain	30–26	Netherlands	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 142 Referees: Godoy, Magalhães (BRA)
	Calleja 10	(13–14)	Kwakman 6
		Report	3×

3 August 2026 18:30	Montenegro	27–26	Germany	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 142 Referees: Pîrvu, Potîrniche (ROU)
	Dragnić, Savić 5	(16–11)	Külker, Overbeck 5
	1× 5×	Report	1× 2×

---

4 August 2026 16:15	Spain	35–33	Montenegro	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 105 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Berroeta, Fresco 7	(17–17)	Dragnić 7
	3×	Report	7×

4 August 2026 18:30	Germany	26–29	Netherlands	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 83 Referees: Haggui, Haggui (TUN)
	Overbeck 9	(14–19)	Kwakman 8
	3×	Report	3×

Group III

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Hungary	3	2	1	0	100	89	+11	5	Quarterfinals
2	China	3	2	0	1	101	96	+5	4
3	Romania (H)	3	1	1	1	78	79	−1	3	9–12th place semifinals
4	Sweden	3	0	0	3	84	99	−15	0	13–16th place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
(H) Hosts

3 August 2026 16:15	China	34–31	Sweden	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 280 Referees: Haggui, Haggui (TUN)
	Zhang S. 13	(17–17)	Schmidinger 8
	2×	Report	3×

3 August 2026 18:30	Hungary	24–24	Romania	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 745 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	Litschauer 6	(16–15)	three players 4
	1× 5×	Report	2× 8× 1×

---

4 August 2026 16:15	Hungary	41–36	China	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 279 Referees: Fotakidis, Kinatzidis (GRE)
	Szigeti 8	(21–20)	Zhang S. 9
	1×	Report	6×

4 August 2026 18:30	Sweden	24–30	Romania	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 725 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	Ström 8	(14–17)	three players 4
	1× 4×	Report	2×

Group IV

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Slovakia	3	2	0	1	87	81	+6	4	Quarterfinals
2	Switzerland	3	2	0	1	99	91	+8	4
3	Japan	3	1	0	2	95	103	−8	2	9–12th place semifinals
4	Slovenia	3	1	0	2	82	88	−6	2	13–16th place semifinals

Source: IHF
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head number of goals scored; 5) goal difference.
Notes:

3 August 2026 11:45	Slovakia	23–24	Slovenia	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 135 Referees: Dáné, Marton (HUN)
	Gogová 5	(11–14)	Štukelj 8
	2× 4×	Report	4×

3 August 2026 14:00	Switzerland	41–31	Japan	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 137 Referees: Al-Enezi, Al-Naseem (KUW)
	Hofstetter 8	(15–15)	Miura 12
	1× 4×	Report	2×

---

4 August 2026 11:45	Slovakia	32–27	Switzerland	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 97 Referees: Bozhinovski, Nachevski (MKD)
	Gogová 9	(18–14)	Mierzwa 14
	2×	Report	1×

4 August 2026 14:00	Japan	34–30	Slovenia	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 112 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	Nakasuji 9	(19–13)	Štukelj 9
	5×	Report	3×

Placement matches

29th place bracket

	29–32nd place semifinals				29th place game
	6 August
	Fiji	9
					7 August
	Uruguay	55
					Uruguay	33
	6 August
					Uzbekistan	27
	Uzbekistan	38
	Algeria	30
					31st place game
					7 August
					Fiji	17
					Algeria	52

29th–32nd place semifinals

6 August 2026 11:45	Fiji	9–55	Uruguay	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 70 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Matakarawa 3	(5–22)	Marti 11
	1×	Report	1×

---

6 August 2026 14:00	Uzbekistan	38–30	Algeria	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 60 Referees: Godoy, Magalhães (BRA)
	Bayjanova 10	(19–19)	Lahlah 10
	4×	Report	4× 1×

31st place game

7 August 2026 11:45	Fiji	17–52	Algeria	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 40 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	A. Logavatu 5	(7–25)	Salmi 9
	8×	Report	2×

29th place game

7 August 2026 14:00	Uruguay	33–27	Uzbekistan	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 50 Referees: Borge, Nygren (NOR)
	Villar 10	(12–13)	Em 10
	1× 5× 1×	Report	3×

25th place bracket

	25–28th place semifinals				25th place game
	6 August
	Mexico	16
					7 August
	Canada	19
					Canada	15
	6 August
					Guinea	33
	Guinea	24
	Angola	19
					27th place game
					7 August
					Mexico	25
					Angola	32

25–28th place semifinals

6 August 2026 16:15	Mexico	16–19	Canada	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 50 Referees: Esmail, Saleh (EGY)
	Muñoz, Silva 4	(11–7)	Allard, Desilets 4
	5×	Report	1×

---

6 August 2026 18:30	Guinea	24–19	Angola	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 40 Referees: Furukawa, Murata (JPN)
	Diallo 8	(14–10)	Ambrosio, Garcia 4
	3×	Report	3×

27th place game

7 August 2026 16:15	Mexico	25–32	Angola	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 45 Referees: Al-Shahi, Al-Wahibi (OMA)
	Muñoz 8	(10–19)	Kaneculo 13
	2×	Report

25th place game

7 August 2026 18:30	Canada	15–33	Guinea	Polyvalent Hall, Craiova Attendance: 55 Referees: Godoy, Magalhães (BRA)
	Morisette-Davies 6	(7–16)	Soumah 9
	2×	Report	4×

21st place bracket

	21st–24th place semifinals				21st place game
	6 August
	Czech Republic	41
					7 August
	Kazakhstan	22
					Czech Republic	31
	6 August
					Serbia	23
	Argentina	23
	Serbia	24
					23rd place game
					7 August
					Kazakhstan	18
					Argentina	32

21st–24th place semifinals

6 August 2026 11:45	Czech Republic	41–22	Kazakhstan	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 287 Referees: Reyes, Zuñiga (CUB)
	Máčalová 7	(18–10)	Kopzhan 8
	2×	Report	2×

---

6 August 2026 14:00	Argentina	23–24	Serbia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 314 Referees: Pîrvu, Potîrniche (ROU)
	Podesta 8	(11–16)	Mirković 8
	2× 6×	Report	4×

23rd place game

7 August 2026 11:45	Kazakhstan	18–32	Argentina	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE)
	Kyrgyzbay, Popova 4	(10–16)	Pangaro, Podesta 5
	2×	Report	2×

21st place game

7 August 2026 14:00	Czech Republic	31–23	Serbia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 234 Referees: Pîrvu, Potîrniche (ROU)
	Königová 9	(14–12)	three players 4
	3×	Report	3×

17th place bracket

	17–20th place semifinals				17th place game
	6 August
	Croatia	33
					7 August
	Tunisia	32
					Croatia	26
	6 August
					Portugal	34
	Portugal	31
	Brazil	22
					19th place game
					7 August
					Tunisia	29
					Brazil	31

17–20th place semifinals

6 August 2026 16:15	Croatia	33–23	Tunisia	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 268 Referees: Fotakidis, Kinatzidis (GRE)
	Jerković 7	(18–12)	Ouni 9
	7×	Report	7× 1×

---

6 August 2026 18:30	Portugal	31–22	Brazil	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 367 Referees: Watson, Welin (SWE)
	Bernardino 7	(17–6)	De Almeida 5
	2×	Report

19th place game

7 August 2026 16:15	Tunisia	29–31	Brazil	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 313 Referees: Reyes, Zuñiga (CUB)
	Ouni 6	(16–13)	Campos, De Almeida 6
	3×	Report	2×

17th place game

7 August 2026 18:30	Croatia	26–34	Portugal	Traian Sports Hall, Râmnicu Vâlcea Attendance: 376 Referees: Al-Enezi, Al-Naseem (KUW)
	Jurić 7	(13–18)	Lopes 9
	1× 3×	Report	1× 3×

13–16th place bracket

	13–16th place semifinals				13th place game
	6 August
	South Korea	29
					7 August
	Sweden	25
					South Korea	26
	6 August
					Germany	34
	Germany	33
	Slovenia	24
					15th place game
					7 August
					Sweden	26
					Slovenia	25

13–16th place semifinals

6 August 2026 11:30	South Korea	29–25	Sweden	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 55 Referees: Martinović, Pavićević (MNE)
	Cho M. 5	(14–14)	Koch 5
	2×	Report	1× 4×

---

6 August 2026 11:30	Germany	33–24	Slovenia	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 61 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Külker, Rusko 6	(17–12)	Markežič, Štukelj 5
	1× 5×	Report	3×

15th place game

7 August 2026 11:45	Sweden	26–25	Slovenia	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 59 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	five players 3	(13–18)	Štukelj 10
	1× 6×	Report	3×

13th place game

7 August 2026 11:45	South Korea	26–34	Germany	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 49 Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Cho E. 5	(16–20)	Rusko 7
	2×	Report	3×

9–12th place bracket

	9–12th place semifinals				Ninth place game
	6 August
	France	32
					7 August
	Romania	21
					France	31
	6 August
					Japan	38
	Netherlands	36
	Japan	47
					Eleventh place game
					7 August
					Romania	27
					Netherlands	33

9–12th place semifinals

6 August 2026 13:45	France	32–21	Romania	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 130 Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Saramito 10	(17–11)	Stoican 4
	2×	Report	5×

---

6 August 2026 13:45	Netherlands	36–47	Japan	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 87 Referees: Dáné, Marton (HUN)
	Kwakman 8	(17–20)	Miura 16
	4×	Report	1×

Eleventh place game

7 August 2026 14:00	Romania	27–33	Netherlands	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 116 Referees: Hodžić, Brodić (CRO)
	Scarlat 6	(13–14)	Ostojic 5
	1×	Report	5×

Ninth place game

7 August 2026 14:00	France	31–38	Japan	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 83 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	Ellisseche 7	(19–18)	Miura 13
		Report	1×

Knockout stage

Bracket

Championship bracket

	Quarter-finals				Semi-finals				Final
	6 August
	Egypt	30
					7 August
	China	29
					Egypt	26
	6 August
					Spain	27
	Spain	27
									9 August
	Switzerland	25
									Spain	26
	6 August
									Montenegro	23
	Hungary	20
					7 August
	Denmark	24
					Denmark	25
	6 August
					Montenegro	27			Third place
	Slovakia	32
									9 August
	Montenegro	33
									Egypt	19
									Denmark	23

5–8th place bracket

	5–8th place semifinals				Fifth place game
	7 August
	China	25
					9 August
	Switzerland	38
					Switzerland	37
	7 August
					Slovakia	31
	Hungary	29
	Slovakia	34
					Seventh place game
					9 August
					China	30
					Hungary	27

Quarterfinals

6 August 2026 16:00	Egypt	30–29	China	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 98 Referees: Correa (ARG), Araújo ( URU)
	Kotb 8	(17–13)	Zhang S. 7
	5×	Report	2× 4×

---

6 August 2026 16:00	Spain	27–25	Switzerland	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 135 Referees: Pagh, Thygesen (DEN)
	Ferrer, Moreno 4	(13–14)	four players 5
	2×	Report

---

6 August 2026 18:30	Hungary	20−24	Denmark	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 117 Referees: Hellbusch, Jansen (GER)
	Nagy-Hajdú 4	(8−11)	Dreisig, Spellerberg 5
	1× 1×	Report	2×

---

6 August 2026 18:30	Slovakia	32−33	Montenegro	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 157 Referees: Weijmans, Wolbertus (NED)
	three players 6	(17−14)	Jovanović 7
	3×	Report	1× 5×

5–8th place semifinals

7 August 2026 16:15	China	25–38	Switzerland	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 72 Referees: Haggui, Haggui (TUN)
	Zhang S. 9	(8–17)	three players 6
	2×	Report	1×

---

7 August 2026 18:30	Hungary	29–34	Slovakia	Sala Sporturilor, Mioveni Attendance: 68 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Takács 8	(13–17)	Gogová 10
	1× 3×	Report	2×

Semifinals

7 August 2026 16:15	Egypt	26–27	Spain	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 168 Referees: Bozhinovski, Nachevski (MKD)
	Farrag 5	(12–13)	Calleja 6
	1×	Report	3×

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7 August 2026 18:45	Denmark	25–27	Montenegro	Pitești Arena, Pitești Referees: Dáné, Marton (HUN)
	Todsen 7	(11–17)	Savić 10
	4×	Report	4×

Seventh place game

9 August 2026 11:30	China	30–27	Hungary	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 89 Referees: Al-Enezi, Al-Naseem (KUW)
	Zhang S. 9	(18–13)	Litschauer, Takács 6
	5×	Report	1× 3×

Fifth place game

9 August 2026 13:45	Switzerland	37–31	Slovakia	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 112 Referees: Chiruță, Murariu (ROU)
	Mierzwa 11	(17–15)	Gogová 6
	3×	Report	3×

Third place game

9 August 2026 16:00	Egypt	19–23	Denmark	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 312 Referees: Pukšič, Satler (SLO)
	Abouelazaiem 6	(11–12)	Dreisig, Hansen 4
	2×	Report	2×

Final

9 August 2026 18:30	Spain	26–23	Montenegro	Pitești Arena, Pitești Attendance: 2,150 Referees: Picard, Vauchez (FRA)
	Calleja 6	(11–12)	Savić 9
	1× 1×	Report	3×

Final standings

Rank	Team
	Spain
	Montenegro
	Denmark
4	Egypt
5	Switzerland
6	Slovakia
7	China
8	Hungary
9	Japan
10	France
11	Netherlands
12	Romania
13	Germany
14	South Korea
15	Sweden
16	Slovenia

Rank	Team
17	Portugal
18	Croatia
19	Brazil
20	Tunisia
21	Czech Republic
22	Serbia
23	Argentina
24	Kazakhstan
25	Guinea
26	Canada
27	Angola
28	Mexico
29	Uruguay
30	Uzbekistan
31	Algeria
32	Fiji

Statistics and awards

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Shots	%
1	Lauryn Mierzwa	71	90	79
2	Zhang Shuoyan	69	102	68
3	Hina Miura	63	94	67
4	Catarina Bernardino	54	66	82
5	Ivana Savić	50	97	52
6	Blanka Szigeti	47	65	72
	Nour Ouni		73	64
8	Ivana Kwakman	46	70	66
9	Rio Hamaguchi	45	75	60
	Maria Lopes		58	78
	Katja Štukelj		66	68
	Fiorella Olmos		70	64

Source: IHF

Top goalkeepers

Rank	Name	%	Saves	Shots
1	Lora Tetec	44	14	32
2	Justýna Hodková	43	40	94
3	Tereza Skopcová	42	67	161
4	Gabrielle Kabeya	40	49	124
	Elena Coserea		58	146
6	Thilde Skov	39	81	210
	Kristína Kubicinová		26	67
8	Nayla Pennavayre	38	29	77
9	Emilie Rosendal	37	23	63
10	Jaydaa Salama	36	79	219

Source: IHF

All-Star Team

The all-star team was announced on 9 August 2026.

Position	Player
Goalkeeper	Thilde Ladegaard Skov
Right wing	Erika Vladu
Right back	Malak Aboyoussef
Centre back	Andrea Dragnić
Left back	Zhang Shuoyan
Left wing	Lauryn Mierzwa
Pivot	Zeina Kotb
MVP	Elene Fresco

See also

• 2026 IHF Women's U20 Handball World Championship

External links

• Official website