The Handball World Cup takes place from January 14 to February 2 across five cities in Croatia, Norway, and Denmark. A total of 32 teams will compete in a structured tournament format, with Denmark as the defending champion. France, aiming for a strong performance, has a favorable group stage. Key players to watch include Mathias Gidsel and Juri Knorr. Comprehensive coverage will be provided by beIN Sports and TF1 group channels.
When and Where to Catch the Handball World Cup
The Handball World Cup is an exciting event that occurs every two years, and this year’s tournament will run from January 14 to February 2. Hosted in Europe, matches will take place in five vibrant cities across three countries: Porec, Varazdin, and Zagreb in Croatia, Oslo in Norway, and Herning in Denmark. As has been the tradition for several years, beIN Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the tournament. The French national team’s opening matches against Qatar and Kuwait will be aired on beIN at 6 PM on January 14 and 16, respectively, while their final group match against Austria on January 18 will be available on beIN 3 and TMC at the same time. Additionally, the TF1 group will co-broadcast segments of the event across its channels: TF1, TMC, and TFX. Viewers can expect to see three of the six preliminary and main round matches featuring the French team, along with the semi-final and final, should France qualify.
Understanding the Tournament Structure
A total of 32 countries will compete in this World Cup, organized into eight groups of four teams (labeled A through H). The top three teams from each group will advance to the main round, which features four groups of six teams. Group A teams will be placed with Group B, Group C with Group D, and so forth. Each team will play three new matches against opponents they haven’t faced yet, while retaining their results against the two teams they previously played. The leading two teams from each of the four main round groups will then move on to the quarter-finals, and the tournament will continue in a traditional knockout format until the final. In total, the finalists will have competed in nine matches over the span of 18 to 20 days.
Spotlight on the Tournament Favorites
Denmark stands out as a formidable contender, aiming to defend its title. The reigning triple champion (2019, 2021, 2023) and Olympic gold medalist from Paris last summer, the Danish squad is on a remarkable 15-match winning streak. Following closely are the Swedish team, who, despite facing challenges during the Olympics, remain a powerful force. As the runners-up in 2021 and winners of the European Championship in 2022, they could see a boost with the return of legendary winger Niklas Ekberg. Germany, the Olympic finalists and a tough rival for France, also have a strong chance despite not having claimed a major title since 2016. Led by goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who has three world titles under his belt (1938, 1978, 2007), they could surprise many.
Among the potential dark horses are Spain, who finished third in the last World Cup and took home a bronze medal at the Olympics. Spain will face a challenging opener against Sweden in their group. Additionally, in a particularly competitive group featuring Bahrain, Croatia, and Argentina, Egypt, under the leadership of Parisian Yahia Omar Khaled, could potentially cause an upset.
France’s Aspirations for the Tournament
France holds the record for the most World Cup victories, boasting seven titles (1995, 2001, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017), alongside two silver medals (1993, 2023) and four bronze medals (1997, 2003, 2005, and 2019). However, the team is still reeling from a heartbreaking quarter-final loss to Germany during the Paris Olympics, where they lost in extra time despite leading in the final moments. Since then, the French squad has been striving to regain its footing.
On a positive note, the team is in better shape than anticipated. While they will miss the talents of Nikola Karabatic and former Montpellier player Hugo Descat, Dika Mem and Elohim Prandi are back in action after receiving medical clearance. France has also drawn a favorable group, facing relatively modest opponents initially (Qatar, Kuwait, and Austria). In the second round, they are likely to encounter Hungary, the Netherlands, and North Macedonia, teams they should be able to handle. Should they finish first in their group, they would avoid facing the reigning champions Denmark, as well as Sweden, Germany, and Norway in the quarter-finals. While the path to victory may be challenging, France’s goal of reaching at least the semi-finals remains a realistic ambition.
Top 5 Players to Watch
Mathias Gidsel (Denmark): At just 25 years old, Gidsel is widely regarded as the best player in the world today. In 2023, he received the prestigious Ballon d’Or equivalent for handball and was named the tournament’s best player, not to mention being the top scorer with 60 goals. French fans will remember his dominating performance in the final that dashed their hopes.
Juri Knorr (Germany): This 24-year-old star has been impressing on European courts and has already made a name for himself as one of Germany’s most promising players. After being sought after by several top teams, he has committed to Aalborg in Denmark until 2028. He represents the new wave of talent in German handball following the retirements of veterans like Uwe Gensheimer.
Jim Gottfridsson (Sweden): At 31 years old and standing 1.95m tall, Gottfridsson is a versatile center back who excels in multiple roles on the court. Known for his extraordinary performances, he was instrumental in Sweden’s success and famously outperformed the French team during the Euro 2022 semi-final.
Sander Sagosen (Norway): A former PSG player, Sagosen is a key figure for the Norwegian team and has the ability to change the dynamics of a match. Despite coming back from a significant shoulder injury, he will be one to watch as he takes on the challenge of the World Cup.
Aymeric Minne (France): Minne has emerged as a vital player for the French squad and will be pivotal in their quest for glory.