SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 12, 2025 – Handball fans, get ready — the stage is officially set for the Men’s EHF EURO 2026, and it promises to be one of the most thrilling tournaments in recent memory. With the qualifiers wrapped up in a dramatic finish this past Sunday, all 24 teams heading to the final championship are now confirmed. Next year's competition, hosted by Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, will run from January 15 to February 1, 2026 — and anticipation is already sky-high.
A Star-Studded Draw Coming This Week
Mark your calendars: the official tournament draw will take place this Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 19:00 CEST in Herning, Denmark. Fans can tune in live via EHFTV and the Home of Handball YouTube channel (availability may vary due to geo-blocking).
Adding excitement to the event, four of the sport’s biggest names will be there to assist with the draw:
- Simon Pytlick (Denmark)
- Hugo Descat (France)
- Andreas Nilsson (Sweden)
- Kristian Kjelling (Norway)
These legends of the game will be on hand as 24 national teams are drawn into six preliminary groups, setting the tone for the championship ahead.
Who's In? Meet the 24 National Teams
While hosts Denmark, Sweden, and Norway were automatically qualified alongside reigning champions France, 20 other teams battled their way through the qualifiers to earn their spot in the spotlight.
The teams have now been seeded into four pots, based on recent performances and rankings from the Men’s EHF EURO 2024:
- Pot 1: France, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia
- Pot 2: Portugal, Norway, Iceland, Croatia, Spain, Faroe Islands
- Pot 3: Austria, Netherlands, Montenegro, Czechia, Poland, North Macedonia
- Pot 4: Georgia, Serbia, Switzerland, Romania, Ukraine, Italy
From these pots, each group will consist of one team from each pot. The group-stage seeding has already assigned some teams to specific venues:
- Germany joins Group A in Herning
- Denmark will compete in Group B, also in Herning
- Sweden leads Group E in Malmö
- Norway is set for Group C in Oslo
- Faroe Islands land in Group D, Oslo
- Iceland plays in Group F in Kristianstad
What to Expect from the Draw
Here’s how the draw will unfold:
- Step 1: Three teams from Pot 2 go into row 2
- Step 2: Three teams from Pot 1 fill row 1
- Step 3: All six Pot 4 teams are placed in row 4
- Step 4: All six Pot 3 teams complete the line-up in row 3
This structure ensures balance across all groups and sets up potential for some electrifying matchups right from the start.
Why Fans Should Tune In
Whether you're a die-hard supporter or a new fan to the sport, this draw marks the first major milestone on the road to one of Europe’s biggest sporting events. Watching it live offers:
- A sneak peek into the group dynamics
- The chance to spot early “Groups of Death”
- A moment of shared excitement with fans around the world
With powerhouse nations and emerging challengers all in the mix, the Men’s EHF EURO 2026 is shaping up to be a spectacular display of skill, passion, and national pride.
Be Part of the Journey
Don’t miss the live draw this Thursday, May 15, at 19:00 CEST. Join the excitement, support your nation, and get ready to follow every thrilling moment of the European Handball Championship.
Learn more at https://www.eurohandball.com
Photo: Dejan Obretkovic