Hanoi, 3 May 2026 – Vietnam Women’s National Beach Handball Team have learned their group-stage opponents for the 2026 IHF Beach Handball World Championship, where they will face a difficult challenge against Germany, Netherlands, and Uruguay.
The draw places Vietnam in one of the toughest groups of the tournament, with both Germany and the Netherlands considered among Europe’s elite teams. Germany enter the competition as the defending world champions, having won the last two editions in 2022 and 2024. They also boast an impressive continental record with three European titles in 2006, 2021, and 2023.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands secured third place in the previous two world championships and remain one of the strongest teams on the international stage. Uruguay, although less decorated, are known for their physical style and international experience. The South American side have qualified for the world finals six times, with their best result being a sixth-place finish in 2012.
Compared to their opponents, Vietnam are still relatively new at this level. The Vietnamese women’s team have participated in the tournament three times, with ninth place standing as their best achievement so far.
Despite the difficult draw, Vietnam head into the tournament with growing confidence following a series of impressive performances. Most recently, the team captured the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Beach Games after defeating host nation China in the final. That victory further confirmed Vietnam’s rising status in Asian beach handball and provided a major psychological boost before the world championship.
Last year, Vietnam also claimed the Asian Beach Handball Championship title after overcoming the Philippines Women’s National Beach Handball Team in the final. Thanks to that success, coach Huynh Minh Ngon and his squad, alongside the Philippines, secured Asia’s two qualification spots for the world championship scheduled to take place in Croatia this June.
Competing in such a demanding group will provide a valuable test for Vietnam as they continue gaining experience and proving themselves on the global stage. Under the tournament format, teams will play a single round-robin format to determine the sides advancing to the knockout rounds.
With strong momentum and thorough preparation, Vietnam’s women’s beach handball team can still dream of causing surprises and continuing to make their mark internationally.
VSN/RPT
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