Back to overview

2027 Handball World Championship: Groups, schedule, format, and everything about the German team

From 13 to 31 January 2027, Germany will host the Men’s Handball World Championship for the eighth time. A total of 32 nations will compete for the world title. When and where will the DHB team play? Who will broadcast the matches live? And who are the biggest contenders? All key information about the 2027 Handball World Championship at a glance.

Phillip Oldenburg | Handball

June 10, 2026 |

Handball-WM 2027 in Deutschland. Foto: Kenny Beele/DHB

The 2027 Men's Handball World Championship will be held in Germany. Photo: Kenny Beele/DHB

Whats’ on this page

1. Where and when will the 2027 Men's Handball World Championship take place?

1.1 Host Cities and Venues: Where will the matches of the 2027 World Championship be played?

2. Der Modus der Handball-WM 2027

3. Preliminary Round Groups at a glance

4. 2027 Men's Handball World Championship: When and where will Germany play?

4.1 Germany’s preliminary round matches at a glance – results

5. spized x Handball

6. Das ist der deutsche WM-Kader

7. The greatest World Championship achievements of the DHB team

8. TV and streaming: Where can I watch the Handball World Championship live?

9. Handball World Championship 2027 – Preliminary Round: Schedule, Results and Standings

Where and when will the 2027 Men's Handball World Championship take place?

The 2027 IHF Men's Handball World Championship will take place in Germany from 13 January to 31 January 2027. This marks the eighth time that Germany has hosted a Men's World Championship, following the tournaments in 1938, 1958, 1961, 1974, 1982, 2007, and 2019. A total of 32 nations will participate in the tournament under the motto "Where Handball Is Alive."

The matches will be played in six different host cities: Munich, Stuttgart, Magdeburg, Kiel, Hanover, and Cologne.

Munich: SAP Garden – 11,000 seats
Stuttgart: Porsche Arena – 6,200 seats
Kiel: Wunderino Arena – 10,250 seats
Magdeburg: GETEC Arena – 6,500 seats
Hanover: ZAG Arena – 10,000 seats
Cologne: LANXESS Arena – 19,250 seats

The 2027 Men's Handball World Championship will bring world-class handball to six German cities – and inspire many recreational and club players to step onto the court themselves. Teams looking to update their kit ahead of the tournament can design custom handball jerseys with the Spized Configurator, choosing their own colors, fonts, and logos.

Der Modus der Handball-WM 2027

In der Vorrunde spielen die 32 Nationen in acht Vierer-Gruppen im Modus Jeder-gegen-Jeden. Während die drei besten Teams jeder Gruppe die Hauptrunde erreichen, spielen die Gruppenvierten nur noch den President's Cup aus.

Die in der Vorrunde gegeneinander erzielten Ergebnisse werden übernommen. In der Hauptrunde geht es in vier Sechsergruppen um den Einzug ins Viertelfinale. Vorrundengruppe A und B bilden die Hauptrundengruppe I, Vorrundengruppe C und D die Hauptrundengruppe II. Die Spiele werden in Köln ausgetragen. Vorrundengruppe E und F bilden die Hauptrundengruppe III, Vorrundengruppe G und H die Hauptrundengruppe IV. Die zwei besten Teams jeder Gruppe schaffen den Sprung in die Runde der letzten Acht. Dort heißt es dann: siegen oder fliegen. Ab dem Viertelfinale geht es im KO-Modus weiter. Die Verlierer der Viertelfinals spielen um die Plätze 5 bis 8. Für die anderen vier Teams geht es um die Medaillen.

Insgesamt bekommen die Handball-Fans bei der WM 112 Spiel zu sehen.

Preliminary Round Groups at a glance

The preliminary round groups were drawn on 10 June in Munich. Germany was seeded as the top team in Group A. Other seeded teams for the preliminary round are Italy, Croatia, France, Sweden, Portugal, Denmark, and Iceland.

Preliminary Round Groups at a Glance:

Group A (Munich): Germany, Serbia, Tunisia, Uruguay
Group B (Stuttgart): Italy, Egypt, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia
Group C (Munich): Croatia, Spain, Chile, Türkiye
Group D (Stuttgart): France, Argentina, Brazil, Kuwait
Group E (Kiel): Sweden, Norway, Greece, Qatar
Group F (Magdeburg): Portugal, Faroe Islands, Poland, Algeria
Group G (Kiel): Denmark, Slovenia, United States, Angola
Group H (Magdeburg): Iceland, North Macedonia, Bahrain, Japan

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

Ein Beitrag geteilt von Club Academy (@spized.clubacademy)

2027 Men's Handball World Championship: When and where will Germany play?

As Germany was seeded in Group A before the tournament draw, the German team will play all three of its preliminary round matches in Munich. The schedule has already been confirmed: Germany will open the tournament against Tunisia on 13 January. The DHB team will then face Uruguay at the SAP Garden on 15 January, before taking on Serbia on 17 January.

“Actually, I’m very pleased with the draw; it worked out very well for us. Overall, it’s a very good group, and I’m looking forward to the matches,” said Germany head coach Alfred Gislason, who recently extended his contract through 2028, after the draw in an interview with Dyn.

By finishing among the top three teams in the group, Germany would advance to the main round in Cologne. There, the DHB team would face three teams from Group B, including, most likely, Italy, coached by Bob Hanning. To qualify for the quarter-finals, a team must finish in the top two of its main-round group. From the quarter-finals onward, all matches will be played at the LANXESS Arena in Cologne.

Group A
Matchday 1: Wednesday, 13 January
Serbia – Uruguay, 5:30 PM
Germany – Tunisia, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Friday, 15 January
Tunisia – Serbia, 6 PM
Germany – Uruguay, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Sunday, 17 January
Tunisia – Uruguay, 6 PM
Germany – Serbia, 8:30 PM

spized x Handball

Ready to loudly support the German team, but still missing your fan outfit? No problem! At spized you can design your own handball jersey exactly the way you like it. Show your support for Germany and become part of the backing on the road to major success.

Das ist der deutsche WM-Kader

Der offizielle WM-Kader des deutschen Teams steht noch nicht fest. Bei der EM 2026 setzte Bundestrainer Gislason auf einen „gewachsenen, aber weiterhin sehr jungen Mannschaft“. Mit dabei waren beim Silber-Coup unter anderem die klare Nummer eins Andreas Wolff, Kapitän Johannes Golla, Julian Köster, Renars Uscins und Juri Knorr, die allesamt Schlüsselrollen im Team einnahmen.

The greatest World Championship achievements of the DHB team

The Men’s Handball World Championships have been held since 1938. Germany has won the title three times so far: in 1938, 1978, and 2007. Above all, the 2007 triumph is likely still fresh in the memory of many handball fans: at that time, the German team won the tournament on home soil. In the final of the home World Championship, the team coached by Heiner Brand defeated Poland, securing Germany’s third world title in handball history.

In addition to the three World Championship titles, the DHB team has won two silver medals (1954 and 2003) and one bronze medal (1958).

At the 2025 World Championship, Germany missed out on a medal. The DHB team was eliminated in the quarter-finals against Portugal and finished in sixth place overall.

The record World Championship winners are France with six titles. They are followed by Sweden, Romania, and reigning champions Denmark with four titles each. Denmark are also the current European champions.

At the 2026 European Championship, Denmark defeated Germany 34–27 in the final.

TV and streaming: Where can I watch the Handball World Championship live?

Attention handball fans: The World Championship matches of the German team will not be broadcast by ARD and ZDF. The public-service broadcasters came away empty-handed in the bidding process for TV rights and had to уступ the competition: ProSiebenSat.1 secured the live broadcasting rights for all World Championship matches of the German national handball teams on free-to-air television. However, which specific channel will air the games has not yet been confirmed. “Acquiring the rights to the Handball World Championships is a strong statement,” commented ProSiebenSat.1 manager Henrik Pabst.

Anyone who wants to watch all World Championship matches will need a Dyn subscription, as was the case for Euro 2026. The streaming service has secured exclusive pay-TV rights and will broadcast all matches on its platform.

Handball World Championship 2027 – Preliminary Round: Schedule, Results and Standings

GROUP A

Matchday 1: Wednesday, January 13
Serbia vs. Uruguay, 5:30 PM
Germany vs. Tunisia, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Friday, January 15
Serbia vs. Tunisia, 6:00 PM
Uruguay vs. Germany, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Sunday, January 17
Tunisia vs. Uruguay, 6:00 PM
Germany vs. Serbia, 8:30 PM

GROUP B

Matchday 1: Wednesday, January 13
Italy vs. Saudi Arabia, 6:00 PM
Egypt vs. Cape Verde, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Friday, January 15
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt, 6:00 PM
Italy vs. Cape Verde, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Sunday, January 17
Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, 6:00 PM
Egypt vs. Italy, 8:30 PM

GROUP C

Matchday 1: Thursday, January 14
Spain vs. Turkey, 6:00 PM
Croatia vs. Chile, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Saturday, January 16
Spain vs. Chile, 6:00 PM
Turkey vs. Croatia, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Monday, January 18
Chile vs. Turkey, 6:00 PM
Croatia vs. Spain, 8:30 PM

GROUP D

Matchday 1: Thursday, January 14
Argentina vs. Brazil, 6:00/6:30 PM
France vs. Kuwait, 8:30/9:00 PM

Matchday 2: Saturday, January 16
France vs. Brazil, 6:00/6:30 PM
Kuwait vs. Argentina, 8:30/9:00 PM

Matchday 3: Monday, January 18
Brazil vs. Kuwait, 6:00/6:30 PM
Argentina vs. France, 8:30/9:00 PM

GROUP E

Matchday 1: Thursday, January 14
Sweden vs. Greece, 6:00 PM
Norway vs. Qatar, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Saturday, January 16
Qatar vs. Sweden, 6:00 PM
Norway vs. Greece, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Monday, January 18
Greece vs. Qatar, 6:00 PM
Sweden vs. Norway, 8:30 PM

GROUP F

Matchday 1: Thursday, January 14
Faroe Islands vs. Algeria, 6:00 PM
Portugal vs. Poland, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Saturday, January 16
Algeria vs. Portugal, 6:00 PM
Faroe Islands vs. Poland, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Monday, January 18
Poland vs. Algeria, 6:00 PM
Portugal vs. Faroe Islands, 8:30 PM

GROUP G
Matchday 1: Friday, January 15
Slovenia vs. Angola, 6:00 PM
Denmark vs. USA, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Sunday, January 17
Slovenia vs. USA, 6:00 PM
Angola vs. Denmark, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Tuesday, January 19
USA vs. Angola, 6:00 PM
Denmark vs. Slovenia, 8:30 PM

GROUP H

Matchday 1: Friday, January 15
North Macedonia vs. Japan, 6:00 PM
Iceland vs. Bahrain, 8:30 PM

Matchday 2: Sunday, January 17
North Macedonia vs. Bahrain, 6:00 PM
Japan vs. Iceland, 8:30 PM

Matchday 3: Tuesday, January 19
Bahrain vs. Japan, 6:00 PM
Iceland vs. North Macedonia

Main Round: January 20–25 in Cologne and Hanover
Final Round: January 26–31 in Cologne
Final: January 31, 2027 in Cologne

Similar Articles!

#Handball | #Award

spized supports the IG Handball Best Practice Award 2026

Every day, clubs in Germany achieve extraordinary things—often without budgets, without a stage, and without the attention they deserve. IG Handball wants to change that: With the Best Practice Award 2026, it is honouring two handball clubs for the first time for their commitment. spized is a partner of the award and provides each winning club with a custom-designed jersey set.

[ ... ]

#Sponsorship | #handball | #Advertising boards

Sponsorship in an amateur club: How DJK Bad Säckingen attracts sponsors without cold calling

Searching for sponsors is part of everyday life for many clubs. DJK Bad Säckingen has found its own approach to this challenge. The handball club from the very south of Germany does not rely on sporting success or professional sales structures. Instead, the foundation of its sponsorship concept is something many clubs already have, but often do not use consistently: contacts.

[ ... ]

#hummel | #spized | ##partnership

spized is integrating Hummel into its product portfolio.

Strategic Cooperation: The Cologne-based sports apparel manufacturer is opening its processes to the Danish heritage brand Hummel – spized becomes the official partner for customized Hummel teamwear.

[ ... ]

#gewinnspiel | #themovieshooters | #teamkit

The Movie Shooters x spized: Winner of the custom jersey set and matchday experience confirmed

New jerseys, professional matchday coverage, and an experience that will be remembered for a long time: The joint giveaway by spized and The Movie Shooters has come to an end. Find out here who secured the grand prize.

[ ... ]

#nadineangerer | #team cohesion | #sport

Why good teams fail – Nadine Angerer on team culture

Sometimes a team suddenly stops functioning, even though quality, talent, and experience are clearly there. That is exactly what happened to the German women’s national team at the 2011 World Cup on home soil. For Nadine Angerer, it was not a sporting problem, but a human one. Why atmosphere, trust, and communication are often more important than tactics and talent.

[ ... ]

#Trikot | #TdM | #HSG Dreiland

Spized jersey of the month: HSG Dreiland wins vote

Every month, our community chooses the most beautiful jersey from three current club designs. In April, everything revolved around the theme "fun jerseys". With a very narrow lead, HSG Dreiland secured the title. But what exactly makes the winning jersey so special? Here you’ll find the answer.

[ ... ]

#pascalhens | #tusbrockhagen | #contest

The Grand Finale: Pascal “Pommes” Hens Crowns Our Design Campaign at TuS Brockhagen

A World Champion in the locker room, brand-new kits, and beaming faces all around: With a personal visit from handball legend Pascal Hens to TuS Brockhagen’s first men’s team, our major spized design campaign has reached its spectacular conclusion.

[ ... ]

#hens | #spized | #giveaway

And the winner is... Pascal Hens has made his choice!

The die is cast: from over 140 entries, we have found the lucky winner of our major campaign. Find out here why Pascal "Pommes" Hens personally chose TuS Brockhausen and what happens next.

[ ... ]

#flames heroes | #volunteer

Volunteer work with a concept: The Flames’ formula for success

The fact that everything runs smoothly and professionally at the home games of HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames is mainly thanks to the club’s many volunteers. The Bundesliga handball club has developed a structured and appreciative volunteer program that sets standards.

[ ... ]

#pascalhens | #jerseys | #cooperation

Pascal Hens x spized: Design your shirt in the look of a legend and meet the handball World Champion

He is a World Champion, European Champion and a true icon of German handball: Pascal “Pommes” Hens. His goals from the back court are legendary – just like his shirts.

[ ... ]

Handball European Championship 2026: All information about the tournament

The Handball European Championship is the first sporting highlight of 2026. The tournament kicks off on January 15, and the final will take place on February 1. The hosts are Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Here you can find all the relevant information.

[ ... ]

Handball Rules: Blue, yellow, and red Cards – What you need to know

In handball, referees have several ways to penalize a player for an offense. Here’s an overview of all the penalties and cards you should know about.

[ ... ]

#handball | #worldcup | #championship

Handball World Championship 2025 – What You Need to Know About the Home Tournament

World-class handball right on your doorstep. Germany, together with the Netherlands, is hosting the Women’s Handball World Championship. In five cities, 32 countries will compete for the title from 26 November to 17 December 2025. Here’s an overview of the key information about the home tournament.

[ ... ]

#handball | #sponsoring | #jersey | #jerseysponsoring | #handballjersey

How Many Sponsors Are Allowed on a Handball Jersey?

You have advertising partners lined up for your handball club and want to know how many sponsors can be featured on a handball jersey? This article provides you with more information on this topic.

[ ... ]

#strength | #training | #handball | #basketball | #volleyball

4 Examples of strength training in handball and other ball sports

The influence of strength training for ball sports is often underestimated. But there is a lot of potential here. We'll show you how you can approach strength training in handball and give you more examples of effective strength training for other sports such as badminton and basketball.

[ ... ]

#cooperation | #worldcup | #spized

Three Cologne Brands, One World Cup Kit: spized, Gaffel, and Kölschbar Celebrate the 2026 World Cup Together

Just in time for the German national team’s opening match at the 2026 World Cup, spized, Gaffel, and the Kölschbar present a limited-edition spized World Cup kit.

[ ... ]

#Darts | #Dingelstädt Spiders | #Jersey of the month

spized Jersey of the Month: Dingelstädt Spiders win head-to-head race

A real head-to-head race in May: the Dingelstädt Spiders Dart secure the “Jersey of the Month” title in a tight vote – only a few percentage points decide the winner. Here you can find out everything about the winning jersey and the club behind it.

[ ... ]

From World Champion to Club Expert: What Nadine Angerer brings to the spized Club Academy

She has won World Cups and currently serves as the goalkeeping coach for the Swiss women's national team. Yet, Nadine Angerer knows all too well: the glamour of the world stage is built directly upon the foundation of grassroots sports.

[ ... ]

#lumberjacks | #crowdfunding | #spized

When Kit Regulations Decide Promotion: How the Black Forest Lumberjacks funded their gear through crowdfunding

In amateur sports, it is often not just athletic performance that determines the next big step, but the logistical framework. A real-world example from Freiburg shows how a young club successfully overcame a bureaucratic hurdle using community power, Fairplaid, and spized.

[ ... ]

#socialmedia | #content | #clubacademy

Reels for Sports Clubs: 7 steps to more reach and new members

In 2026, static team photos barely generate any organic reach. For clubs looking to attract new members, short-form video is now essential. This guide shows you, in seven actionable steps, how to use a smartphone to turn daily club life into Reels that truly get noticed.

[ ... ]

#volleyball | #Interview | #Relegation

Historic promotion complete: SV Sande writes success story in spized

As runners-up, SV Sande surprisingly achieve direct promotion to the Regionalliga – without relegation playoffs. In an interview with spized, player Katharina “Kathi” Schlichting talks about the special moment, the strong team spirit, and the excitement for new challenges.

[ ... ]

#Dodgeball | #Jersey

Spized-Jersey of the month: Dodgeball Ninjas win the vote

Every month, our community selects the most beautiful jersey from three current club designs. In March, the Dodgeball Ninjas from Austria prevailed with their particularly colorful jersey design. But what makes the winning jersey so special – and what exactly is dodgeball? Here you’ll find the answers.

[ ... ]

#clubacademy | #spized | #volunteer

Don't panic about legal provisions: liability, rights and obligations in voluntary work

Are you worried that you will be liable with your private assets if you take on a position on the board? This article explains why your fears are unfounded!

[ ... ]

#TG Herford | #Volunteer Concept | #Volunteering

Six Pillars for the future: The Volunteer-Concept of the Turngemeinde Herford

The Turngemeinde Herford is setting new standards in club work with its forward-looking volunteer concept, “Vereinsheld 2025.” Through a holistic approach combining training, recognition, and youth development, the club demonstrates how sustainable volunteer development in sports can succeed.

[ ... ]

#club management | #volunteer | #club academy

Career Kickstart & Labour of Love: Great reasons to volunteer at a sports club

Not sure if you want to get involved with a sports club? This article shows you why volunteering can truly pay off for you.

[ ... ]

#hyrox | #events | #calender

Hyrox Calendar 2026: All dates at a glance

Are you planning your next Hyrox race? Here you will find all current dates for 2026, as well as info on the World Championships and the perfect outfit for your race.

[ ... ]

#hyrox | #guide | #trend

Hyrox explained: Everything about the fitness scene's new mass-participation sport

Everyone is talking about Hyrox, but what’s it all about? We explain the format, the 8 disciplines and why this fitness race is achievable for everyone. Plus: tips on the right equipment.

[ ... ]

#galeria | #spized | #cooperation

spized in person: Collaboration with Galeria launched

Until now, you mainly knew us from the internet and the pitch. But now we are bringing the spized experience directly to the high street!

[ ... ]

#club constitution | #Club | #misteakes

Club Constitution Checklist: How to keep your club legally secure

The club constitution is like the engine of your organization. It governs how your club operates, who makes decisions, and how members, the board, and the general assembly work together. In other words, the constitution is the foundation on which your entire club life is built. We’ll show you which elements a club constitution must include and how to use a checklist to ensure your constitution is up-to-date and legally secure.

[ ... ]

#american football | #nfl | #berlin

Everything You Need to Know About the NFL Game in Germany

Touchdown Berlin! On 9 November 2025, the NFL hype enters the next round as the Indianapolis Colts take on the Atlanta Falcons at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. It will be the fifth NFL game to be played on German soil. Kick-off is at 8:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on RTL, Super RTL and RTL+.

[ ... ]

#gifts | #presents | #athletes | #gift ideas | #budget-friendly

Seven unique gift ideas for athletes - personalised, practical and budget-friendly

Personalised surprises for club members, team colleagues and sports fans: find the perfect gift!

[ ... ]

#sublimationprinting | #flockprinting | #jersey | #temsports | #design

Flock printing: what exactly is it?

Would you like to know exactly what flock printing is and what its advantages and disadvantages are? This article answers everything you need to know about flock printing.

[ ... ]

#Gift idea | #Football Coach Gift | #Creativity | # Gift for Coach

The 10 Best Gifts for Football Coaches

Are you looking for gift ideas for your football coach? In this article, we’ll show you the 10 best ideas to surprise your coach. Whether for a birthday, promotion, farewell, or just to say “thank you” – there are plenty of occasions to thank the coach for their voluntary commitment. Even a small token of appreciation is enough to express gratitude and provide extra motivation.

[ ... ]

#funny quote | #funny interview | #funny saying | #football saying | #basketball saying

Funny sports sayings: 53 funny sayings for sports fans

Are you looking for funny sayings from the world of sport? We are delighted to present you with the funniest sports sayings in this article.

[ ... ]

#E-sport | #gaming | #fifa | #gamer name | #funny

Funny gamer names: 170 funny names for your gaming profile

Do you like gaming and are still looking for the right nickname? Here you will find 170 funny gamer names.

[ ... ]

#funny | #player | #names | #football | #jersey

Funny player names: 150 funny names for your jersey

Are you looking for funny player names for you and your team? Whether you're a hobby team or an ambitious sports team: In these lists, you'll get your money's worth when it comes to funny player names.

[ ... ]

#motivation | #sports | #quotes | #funny | #motivational

Motivational sports quotes: Find your incentive with these sayings!

Are you looking for motivational sports quotes? In this article we have summarised the most exciting motivational sayings for your sporting motivation.

[ ... ]

#christmas | #christmasparty | #party | #club | #tips

10 Christmas party ideas - how to organise a Christmas party

Are you looking for ideas for the next Christmas party of your sports club or company? We present you 10 nice ideas for your Christmas party and give you valuable tips and tricks for the organisation.

[ ... ]

#teamnames | #funny | #team | #sport | #sports

100 funny team names / group names for your team

In this article, we would like to give you some help on how to find the perfect team name for your hobby team. We also show you 100 original and fun team names for all kinds of sports.

[ ... ]

#sport | #sports | #gift | #athletes

Best Gift for Athletes - Design Original Jerseys

In this article you will learn why a customised jersey is the perfect gift for athletes and we will show you how you can easily and inexpensively create jerseys at Spized.

[ ... ]

#padelcourt | #padel | #size

Padel-court dimensions: How the court is structured

Padel is growing faster than any other racket sport in Germany. But the first time you step onto a court, you're likely to do a double take. Where are the out-of-bounds lines? Why is everything enclosed? And why does the ball bounce back off the glass wall as if that's completely normal? From court layout to wall play, this guide gives you the complete overview—whether you're a beginner looking to understand the game or a club manager planning to build a padel court.

[ ... ]

Bike tour packing list: What you really need

Whether it’s a 40-kilometre loop through the hills or a week-long journey across the Alps — what you pack into your jersey pockets has a greater impact on how well your day goes than the weather ever could.

[ ... ]