The World Cup in November/December does start with 32 teams divided in eight groups. The exact nature of the preliminary round in the championship was announced via a draw event which for example paired Denmark up with two European colleagues and Japan.
The reigning champion, France start their campaign against Poland, Tunisia and People’s Republic of China. For Norway, the runner-up from last time Angola, Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan will try to stand in the way.
Brazil hope for an exciting reboot with Sweden as the most likely toughest competitor in the group stage. Three out of four teams in each group advance to the Main Round so the deciding game should be played among lower ranked teams.
World Cup 2025 draw
Source: IHF
Group A: Denmark, Romania, Japan, Croatia
Group B: Hungary, Switzerland, Senegal, Islamic Republic of Iran
Group C: Germany, Serbia, Iceland, Uruguay
Group D: Montenegro, Spain, Faroe Islands, Paraguay
Group E: Netherlands, Austria, Argentina, Egypt
Group F: France, Poland, Tunisia, People’s Republic of China
Group G: Sweden, Brazil, Czechia, Cuba
Group H: Norway, Angola, Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan
Source: DRAW YIELDS MOUTHWATERING CLASHES FOR THE 2025 IHF WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP