The Format of the 2025 Handball World Championship 

In the preliminary round, there are eight groups of four teams each. Following a round-robin format, the teams compete for progression. The top three teams in each group advance to the main round, while the fourth-placed teams play in the President’s Cup for positions 25 to 32. 

Once the first hurdle is cleared, the teams in the main round compete in four groups of six teams each for a quarter-final spot. Each main round group is formed from two preliminary groups – A/B, C/D, E/F, G/H. Every team plays three matches, and the points earned against other qualified teams from the preliminary round are carried over. The top two teams from each group qualify for the quarter-finals. From the last eight onwards, the tournament continues in a knockout format. 

There are a total of five host cities: Rotterdam and ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, and Trier, Stuttgart and Dortmund in Germany.

Handball World Championship 2025: Overview of the Preliminary Round Groups

• Group A: Denmark, Romania, Japan, Croatia (in Rotterdam)
• Group B: Hungary, Switzerland, Senegal, Iran (in ’s-Hertogenbosch)
• Group C: Germany, Serbia, Iceland, Uruguay (in Stuttgart)
• Group D: Montenegro, Spain, Faroe Islands, Paraguay (in Trier)
• Group E: Netherlands, Austria, Argentina, Egypt (in Rotterdam)
• Group F: France, Poland, Tunisia, China (in ’s-Hertogenbosch)
• Group G: Sweden, Brazil, Czech Republic, Cuba (in Stuttgart)
• Group H: Norway, Angola, South Korea, Kazakhstan (in Trier)

Handball World Championship 2025: This is the German Squad

Germany’s women’s national handball coach Markus Gaugisch has announced his squad for the 2025 World Championship. The 51-year-old will go into the tournament with a total of 17 players. 

The team will be led by captain Antje Döll. The 36-year-old has played 105 international matches so far, scoring 273 goals. Other experienced players include Xenia Smits (145 matches / 344 goals), Emily Vogel (138 / 413), and Alina Grijseels (112 / 393). The DHB’s record player is Grit Jurack. The left-hander made an incredible 306 appearances between 1996 and 2012, scoring 1,581 goals. Jurack took part in five European and World Championships each, as well as two Olympic Games.

The World Championship Squad of the Women’s National Team at a Glance

• Goalkeepers: Katharina Filter (Team Esbjerg/DEN), Sarah Wachter (Borussia Dortmund) 
• Right Wing: Jenny Behrend (VfL Oldenburg) 
• Right Back: Nina Engel (HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames), Julia Maidhof (Ramnicu Valcea/ROU), Viola Leuchter (Odense Håndbold/DEN) 
• Center Back: Alina Grijseels (Borussia Dortmund), Annika Lott (Brest Bretagne/FRA), Mareike Thomaier (HSG Bensheim-Auerbach Flames)
• Left Back: Xenia Smits (HB Metz/FRA), Emily Vogel (FTC Budapest/HUN), Aimée von Pereira (København Håndbold/DEN), Nieke Kühne (HSG Blomberg-Lippe) 
• Left Wing: Antje Döll (Sport-Union Neckarsulm), Alexia Hauf (HSG Blomberg-Lippe)
• Pivot: Lisa Antl (Borussia Dortmund), Jolina Huhnstock (Buxtehuder SV)

Schedule: When and Where Does Germany Play? 

The German women’s team will face Iceland, Uruguay, and Serbia in Group C. All of Germany’s preliminary round matches will take place in Stuttgart. Bundestrainer Markus Gaugisch on the opponents: "We know Iceland from the last European Championship, and their stars also play in the Bundesliga. We especially have to prepare for their 5:1 defense. Against Uruguay, we are clear favorites, and against Serbia, pivot Dragana Cvijic returned, a player who had actually already retired. The Serbian team definitely has a squad that can surprise us – but we can analyze them intensively during the first two matchdays."

Matchday 1: Wednesday, 26 November
Germany – Iceland, 6:00 p.m.
Serbia – Uruguay, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Friday, 28 November
Uruguay – Germany, 6:00 p.m.
Serbia – Iceland, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Sunday, 30 November
Iceland – Uruguay, 3:30 p.m.
Germany – Serbia, 6:00 p.m. 

If Germany advances to the main round, matches will continue on 2, 4, and 6 December in Dortmund. The opponents will be the top three teams from preliminary Group D. A potential quarter-final (9 December) would also take place at Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle. The tournament’s most intense phase will ultimately be held in Rotterdam.

Where to Get Tickets?

Tickets are available through the official tournament website worldhandball25.com.

Who is broadcasting the 2025 Women’s Handball World Championship? 

Sporteurope.TV is broadcasting all matches of the 2025 World Championship live and exclusively on its platform, including the games of the German team in the preliminary and main rounds. If you want to watch the DHB women’s matches live, you will have to pay for access. There are various options – from single-match purchases to tournament packages. Eurosport will also show the German games for free on re-live. 

Attention: If Germany’s handball team reaches the quarter-finals, the matches could be shown on free TV. ZDF intends to broadcast a quarter-final with German participation live on December 9. ARD is also planning the broadcast of the semi-final (December 12) and the final (December 14), provided the German team is involved.

spized x Handball 

Want to support the German team but still perfecting your outfit? Then you’re in the right place. At spized, you can design your own handball jersey – according to your wishes and ideas. With your support, Germany might just achieve the big win.

Handball World Championship 2025: France and Norway the Big Favorites 

A medal for the German team would definitely be a small sensation, as the major successes of the DHB women are long behind them. The last medal was won 18 years ago, in 2007, when Germany took bronze in France. The last World Championship victory for the team was in 1999. Previously, the East German team won gold three times – in 1971, 1975, and 1978. 

As defending champions, the French team enters the tournament with high expectations. France secured their third World Championship title in 2023, having previously won in 2003 and 2017. In the final, the Tricolore defeated Norway (four-time world champions) 31:28. Both nations have dominated women’s handball for years. Four of the last five World Championship titles went to France or Norway, with only the Netherlands’ 2019 victory breaking the pattern.

All Women’s Handball World Champions at a Glance

• 1957 Czechoslovakia
• 1962 Romania
• 1965 Hungary
• 1971 East Germany
• 1973 Yugoslavia
• 1975 East Germany
• 1978 East Germany
• 1982 USSR
• 1986 USSR
• 1990 USSR
• 1993 Germany
• 1995 South Korea
• 1997 Denmark
• 1999 Norway
• 2001 Russia
• 2003 France
• 2005 Russia
• 2007 Russia
• 2009 Russia
• 2011 Norway
• 2013 Brazil
• 2015 Norway
• 2017 France
• 2019 Netherlands
• 2021 Norway
• 2023 France

How much money the DHB women can earn at the World Championship

The German handball players are looking at a record bonus at the World Championship. If the DHB women actually win the title, the team will receive a bonus of €425,000. Silver would be worth €300,000, bronze €200,000. If the team finishes fourth, €100,000 is on offer. And reaching the quarter-finals is also rewarded: €50,000.

A look at the 2021 World Championship (€140,000) and the 2023 World Championship (€225,000) as well as the 2024 European Championship (€275,000) shows that the DHB is increasingly investing in the success of the women's handball team.

"We feel appreciated. After the adjustment of the per diems at the beginning of the year, this bonus arrangement is another strong signal. Above all else in the coming weeks is sporting success – we are putting everything into achieving our handball dreams at this tournament," said captain Antje Döll. It is also clear: the more successful Döll and co. are, the more bonuses they can collect.

Is There a World Championship Song?

Yes. The official World Championship song, “Hands Up for More,” was written by singers Bria X and Lucille. The hit will be released in both German and English versions. The background of the song: the Handball World Championship takes place under the same motto, “Hands Up for More.” The movement initiated by the German Handball Federation (DHB) stands for increased awareness, equality, and respect for women in handball.

The Complete Match Schedule and All Results

Group Stage; Group A 

Matchday 1: Thursday, November 27
Romania – Croatia, 6:00 p.m.
Denmark – Japan, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Saturday, November 29
Romania – Japan, 6:00 p.m.
Croatia – Denmark, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Monday, December 1
Japan – Croatia, 6:00 p.m.
Denmark – Romania, 8:30 p.m. 

Group B 

Matchday 1: Thursday, November 27
Switzerland – Iran, 6:00 p.m.
Hungary – Senegal, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Saturday, November 29
Switzerland – Senegal, 6:00 p.m.
Iran – Hungary, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Monday, December 1
Senegal – Iran, 6:00 p.m.
Hungary – Switzerland, 8:30 p.m. 

Group C 

Matchday 1: Wednesday, November 26
Germany – Iceland, 6:00 p.m.
Serbia – Uruguay, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Friday, November 28
Uruguay – Germany, 6:00 p.m.
Serbia – Iceland, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Sunday, November 30
Iceland – Uruguay, 3:30 p.m.
Germany – Serbia, 6:00 p.m. 

Group D

Matchday 1: Wednesday, November 26
Spain – Paraguay, 6:00 p.m.
Montenegro – Faroe Islands, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Friday, November 28
Paraguay – Montenegro, 6:00 p.m.
Spain – Faroe Islands, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Sunday, November 30
Faroe Islands – Paraguay, 3:30 p.m.
Montenegro – Spain, 6:00 p.m. 

Group E

Matchday 1: Friday, November 28
Austria – Egypt, 6:00 p.m.
Netherlands – Argentina, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Sunday, November 30
Austria – Argentina, 6:00 p.m.
Egypt – Netherlands, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Tuesday, December 2 
Argentina – Egypt, 6:00 p.m.
Netherlands – Austria, 8:30 p.m. 

Group F 

Matchday 1: Friday, November 28
Poland – China, 6:00 p.m.
France – Tunisia, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Sunday, November 30
Poland – Tunisia, 6:00 p.m.
China – France, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Tuesday, December 2
Tunisia – China, 6:00 p.m.
France – Poland, 8:30 p.m. 

Group G 

Matchday 1: Thursday, November 27
Brazil – Cuba, 6:00 p.m.
Sweden – Czech Republic, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Saturday, November 29
Brazil – Czech Republic, 6:00 p.m.
Cuba – Sweden, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Monday, December 1
Czech Republic – Cuba, 6:00 p.m.
Sweden – Brazil, 8:30 p.m. 

Group H 

Matchday 1: Thursday, November 27
Angola – Kazakhstan, 6:00 p.m.
Norway – South Korea, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 2: Saturday, November 29
Angola – South Korea, 6:00 p.m.
Kazakhstan – Norway, 8:30 p.m. 

Matchday 3: Monday, December 1
South Korea – Kazakhstan, 6:00 p.m.
Norway – Angola, 8:30 p.m.