Croatia has officially been granted a wild card to participate in the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship, set to take place in Germany and the Netherlands. This decision by the IHF Council highlights Croatia’s strong handball tradition and recent performances on the international stage.
Key Takeaways
- Croatia awarded the second wild card for the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship.
- The decision was based on factors like popularity, recent performances, and contributions to global handball.
- This will be Croatia’s ninth appearance in the Women’s World Championship.
Background on the Wild Card Decision
The International Handball Federation (IHF) Council made the decision to award Croatia the wild card following a review of applications from four national federations: Croatia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. The IHF has not established fixed criteria for wild card allocations, instead considering a variety of factors, including:
- Popularity of Handball: Croatia has a rich handball culture, evidenced by record viewership during the 2025 IHF Men’s World Championship.
- Recent Sporting Performances: The Croatian women’s team narrowly missed qualification, losing to Spain by just three goals in the European Qualification Phase.
- Contributions to Global Development: Croatia has hosted several major international handball events, enhancing the sport’s profile.
Croatia’s Handball Legacy
This upcoming championship will mark Croatia’s ninth appearance in the Women’s World Championship. The nation has a storied history in the sport, with its best finish being sixth place in 1997. Recent performances include:
- 2021: 18th place in Spain
- 2023: 14th place in Denmark/Norway/Sweden
Championship Line-Up
With Croatia’s inclusion, the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship will feature a diverse lineup of teams from around the globe. The confirmed teams are as follows:
| Region | Teams |
|---|---|
| Europe | Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Africa | Angola, Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia |
| Asia | Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea |
| South and Central America | Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| North America and Caribbean | Cuba |
Looking Ahead
The IHF Council’s decision not only reflects Croatia’s handball prowess but also aims to promote the sport’s growth globally. The championship is expected to draw significant attention, especially with the inclusion of teams from various continents, showcasing the sport’s international appeal.
As the tournament approaches, fans and players alike are eager to see how Croatia will perform on this prestigious stage, hoping to improve upon their previous results and make a mark in women’s handball history.
