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.https://frh.ro/stire.php?id=2861IHF Meeting Page 21
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.https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/regional/fiji/handball-fiji-announces-historical-qualification-of-its-youth-under-18-womens-team/
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 TeamQualification methodDate of qualificationAppearance(s)Previous best performance2025 Asian Youth Championship19 July 2025 200620242 (2006)200610 (2022)21 July 202520142 (2024)20108 (2010, 2012)4 August 2025201220247 (2024)20223 (2024)5 August 202520124 (2014)200610 (2006, 2012)200610 (2006, 2008, 2010, 2024)20108 (2018)200820221 (2008)200820245 (2024)7 August 202520108 (2010)20082 (2008)20106 (2014)20123 (2024)8 August 202520084 (2010)200620221 (2006)2025 African Youth Championship18 September 2025201620245 (2022)200620181 (2006)200820242 (2008)19 September 202520223 (2022) 2025 IHF Trophy U17 – Oceania16 October 20251stDebut2025 IHF Trophy U17 – North America and the Caribbean15 November 2025200620242 (2006)1stDebut2025 South and Central American Youth Championship19 November 2025200620246 (2006)20063 (2014)201020221 (2010)2025 IHF Trophy U17 – Asia22 November 2025201420221 (2014, 2016, 2022)Host nation9 January 2026200620247 (2014)2025 African Youth Championship20221 (2022)Wildcard201220221 (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
Referees The referees were announced on 20 April 2026.
Referees / Agustín ConverseGermán Araújo Henrique GodoyDaniel Magalhães Matija HodžićMatija Brodić Raymel ReyesAlexis Zuñiga Jacob PaghKarl Thygesen Mohamed EsmailMohamed Saleh Titouan PicardPierre Vauchez Lucas HellbuschDarnel Jansen Referees Ioannis FotakidisCharalampos Kinatzidis Rita DánéZsófia Marton Hideki FurukawaTetsuro Murata Maali Al-EneziDalal Al-Naseem Danielo BozhinovskiViktor Nachevski Slađane MartinovićMilice Pavićević William WeijmansRick Wolbertus Referees Andreas BorgeMagnus Nygren Omer Al-ShahiKhamis Al-Wahibi Mihaela ChiruțăGeorgiana Murariu Mihai PîrvuMihai Potîrniche Žan PukšičMiha Satler Alice WatsonLine Welin Roua HagguiSahar Haggui
Squads
Preliminary round All times are local (UTC+3).
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Group H
President's Cup Points obtained in the matches against the team from the group are taken over.
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Main round Points obtained in the matches against the team from the group are taken over.
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Placement matches 29th place bracket
29th–32nd place semifinals
31st place game
29th place game
25th place bracket
25–28th place semifinals
27th place game
25th place game
21st place bracket
21st–24th place semifinals
23rd place game
21st place game
17th place bracket
17–20th place semifinals
19th place game
17th place game
13–16th place bracket
13–16th place semifinals
15th place game
13th place game
9–12th place bracket
9–12th place semifinals
Eleventh place game
Ninth place game
Knockout stage Bracket Championship bracket
5–8th place bracket
Quarterfinals
5–8th place semifinals
Semifinals
Seventh place game
Fifth place game
Third place game
Final
Final ranking RankTeam4567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132
Statistics and awards
Top goalscorers RankNameGoalsShots% 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 97 526 Blanka Szigeti47 65 72 Nour Ouni 73 64 8 Ivana Kwakman 46 70 669 Rio Hamaguchi45 75 60 Maria Lopes 58 78 Katja Štukelj 66 68 Fiorella Olmos 70 64 Source: IHF
Top goalkeepers RankName%SavesShots 1 Lora Tetec 44 14 32 2 Justýna Hodková 43 40 94 3 Tereza Skopcová 42 67 1614 Gabrielle Kabeya40 49 124 Elena Coserea 58 1466 Thilde Skov39 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
Notes
See also 2026 IHF Women's U20 Handball World Championship
References
External links Official website