Oman’s national beach handball team has been drawn into a challenging group for the 12th IHF Beach Handball World Championship for men and women, scheduled to take place in Croatia from June 23 to 28, 2026, with the participation of 32 teams '16 men’s and 16 women’s teams'.
The Asian champions have been placed in Group D alongside hosts Croatia, France, and Australia—widely regarded as one of the tournament’s toughest groups due to the strength and experience of the European sides, as well as Australia’s recent development. Oman entered the draw ranked in the third seeding pot.
The tournament will be held on open courts along Jarun Lake in Zagreb, bringing together elite teams from across the globe in what promises to be a highly competitive event.
Group A includes Spain, Portugal, Iran (Asian runners-up) and the United States, while Group B features Hungary, Denmark, Tunisia and Puerto Rico. Group C comprises Germany, Brazil, Argentina and Italy.
The competition will begin with a preliminary round divided into four groups, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the main round. The main round will then be split into two groups before progressing to the knockout stages, starting from the quarterfinals through to the final.
In the women’s competition, defending champions Germany were drawn in Group A alongside the Netherlands, Vietnam, and Uruguay, while the remaining groups include strong contenders such as Spain, Norway, Brazil, and Argentina.
This marks Oman’s ninth appearance at the Beach Handball World Championship and highlights a rich history of achievements since the team’s inception in 2004. Among the key milestones are winning the first Asian Championship in Muscat in 2004, finishing fourth at the 2009 World Championship in Taipei and securing multiple podium finishes in Asian competitions. Most recently, Oman claimed the Asian title for the second time in its history in Muscat in 2025, reaffirming its status as one of Asia’s leading teams.
FEDERATION BOARD MEETING SET FOR TOMORROW
As part of preparations for upcoming competitions, the Oman Handball Association’s Board of Directors will convene tomorrow Tuesday, under the chairmanship of Moosa bin Khamis al Balushi, to discuss key matters related to the sport’s development and future plans.
A major focus of the meeting will be the preparation program for the national beach handball team ahead of the World Championship in Croatia, with the aim of ensuring optimal readiness and a competitive performance in the team’s ninth World Cup appearance.
The agenda will also include a review of technical and administrative reports from the team’s recent participation in the 6th Asian Beach Games held in Sanya, China, in order to assess strengths and challenges and build on them moving forward.
Additionally, the board will discuss the preparation program for the national youth indoor handball team, as well as the Competitions Committee’s plan for the 2026/2027 season, aimed at enhancing domestic tournaments and raising the level of clubs and players. Financial matters and the operational plans of various committees will also be reviewed.
These efforts reflect the federation’s commitment to strengthening national teams and continuing the development of handball in Oman across all levels.
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