The competition draw for the upcoming Pessac 2026 FISU World University Championship Handball has just taken place. Find out who will face who from 21-27 June in France.
All 11 participating countries were anxiously waiting for the results of the group draws for the upcoming FISU World University Championship Handball in Pessac Bordeaux Metropole (France) from 21-27 June.
Handball was the first sport ever organised as a FISU World University Championship, in 1963, in the Swedish city of Lund. In 2022, the event adopted the FISU University World Cup format (where universities compete instead of countries) in Pristina, Kosovo. It returned to the FISU World University Championship format in 2024 in Antequera, Spain.
France has already held 27 editions of World University Championships since its inception, and with its deep-rooted handball culture, it is excited to welcome teams from three continents under the best possible conditions in the beautiful Bordeaux region.
With competition venues, accommodation, transports and catering facilities all within close proximity in the heart of the Bordeaux university campus, the organising committee aims at making this event a sustainable and eco-friendly one, ensuring an efficient and cohesive experience for all participants.
The results of the group draw
In both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we will have five teams from Europe, two from America and one from Asia. The division into different pots is determined by the results in the last edition of the event (in this case, Antequera 2024 FISU World University Championship) and by the official International Handball Federation (IHF)’s official ranking. A maximum of three European teams and one American team per group is allowed.
Women’s competition
A total of eight teams will compete in the women’s tournament in Pessac: France (host), Spain (winner of the 2024 edition), Poland (3rd in 2024), Czechia (4th in 2024), the Netherlands (5th in 2024), Germany (didn’t participate to the 2024 edition, but was the highest remaining team on the IHF ranking), Brazil and China (both coming from the IHF ranking as well).
Group A
- France
- Poland
- The Netherlands
- China
Group B
- Spain
- Czechia
- Germany
- Brazil
Men’s competition
A total of eight teams will compete in the men’s tournament in Pessac: France (host), Spain (winner of the 2024 edition), Poland (2nd in 2024), Czechia (4th in 2024), Brazil (5th in 2024), Croatia (7th in 2022 in Pristina, Kosovo), Argentina and Lebanon (both coming from the IHF ranking).
Group A
- France
- Poland
- Brazil
- Lebanon
Group B
- Spain
- Czechia
- Croatia
- Argentina
Let’s see if Spain can keep its crowns in both the men’s and women’s competitions and carry on reigning on university handball! The answer in one month exactly!
Related News
FISU modifies the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian student-athletes at its events
“Taking a lot of the pressure off the athlete is a massive help!”
“Being surrounded by so many athletes balancing study and training was so inspiring”
