The 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships have finished in Zagreb with the 144-game schedule now complete.

Argentina make the hardest step up to become world champions in Croatia

Argentina is the new name on the IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship trophy after Leticia Brunati’s team became just the third national team in history to hold the trio of international titles: World Championship, Continental Championship and The World Games titles, after Brazil and Germany. After silver in both 2010 and 2012, Denmark’s women added a third world championship second-place to their record.

The South American side, led by captain Gisella Bonomi on 18 points, took the first set with confidence (20:14), only to be restricted in the second as a Ditte Vind-inspired performance in goal ensured a 27:14 clear second set win.

And so it went to a shoot-out with Argentina’s All-star Team goalkeeper Alma Molina impressing once more, putting paid to the Danish attack to ensure a 6:2 win and the rare ‘trifecta’ of international titles.

“It was about trusting in the process,” said Argentina’s captain Gisella Bonomi to ihf.info about the key to winning. “We are constantly learning, and even from the world championship final in China two years, we now know that everything is necessary. We are really happy and enjoying this moment, because today we are here, and tomorrow we don’t come back.”

European champions Spain added bronze to their cabinet after defeating Brazil 2-0 (21:20, 25:16) with Jimena Laguna Contreras top-scoring on 14 points.

“For us, it was an honour to play against Brazil because they are the ‘creators’ of beach handball,” said Malena Diaz Coppens to ihf.info. “We’re really glad to be here, to play against them, and then beating them. It’s a motivation to continue trusting and to continue working.

“We knew with Brazil, we had to respect them a lot. We don’t know what they can do as their physical is incredible, and also qualities they have. It’s history to beat them.”

Former champions Greece and Germany played off for fifth place with the current title-holders Germany, easing to a 2-0 win, Isabel Kattner’s 14 points making the difference, while 2024 bronze medallists Netherlands finished seventh, taking down the hosts Croatia.

2010 champions Norway finished ninth, defeating Uruguay, while Vietnam beat continental rivals Philippines via shoot-out 8:4, Thi Thanh Huyen Dam scoring 15 points. Another continental clash saw Madeline Cardenas score 10 points in Puerto Rico’s 2-0 win over the USA to finish 13th.

Germany men hold all three major titles as Brazil downed in Zagreb

Marten Franke’s Germany side also completed beach handball on Sunday in Zagreb when they added the world championship title to their 2025 European and The World Games titles.

The European side took a 2-0 (21:18, 21:14) victory led by a strong defensive performance from the back, starting with goalkeeper Moritz Ebert who stopped 12 of the 28 shots faced, ending on a 43% save ratio. Brazil’s silver is their best ranking since their 2018 gold medal.

“It was the perfect day for us; because the whole preparation was really ideal. I was as calm as never before in a final, because we were prepared, and we didn’t have the pressure to win,” said Germany coach Marten Franke to ihf.info.

“We won two tournaments last year, so if we didn’t win this final, nothing happens; we have a great silver medal, and all of these guys knew this [that] we can just win something, we will not lose anything.

“We were well-prepared, we knew everything, and it started right with the jump ball at the beginning.”

Argentina’s men also joined the medal party, defeating hosts Croatia 2-1 (16:17, 18:16, SO 9:8) with Jorge Nahuel Perez Baptista managing to score 14 points past an inspired Luka Bakovic in the Croatian goal.

Spain finished fifth as they defeated 2024 bronze medallists Portugal 2-1 and with it, equal their own ranking from two years ago. Denmark finished seventh, defeating Hungary 2-0, with Dines Kjeldgaard racking up 26 points for the Danes. Debutants France finished 10th, losing to Iran 2-1, while fellow debutants Italy ended in 11th spot, defeating Tunisia via shoot-out 7:2, Alessandro Benini ending the game with 10 points for Italy, having scored their first-ever world championship points at the beginning of the week.

The USA equalled their 2024 ranking of 13th, beating Oman 2-0, while Oceania champions had Christopher Pinder to thank for their 15th place win against Puerto Rico, scoring 19 points.

All games from Croatia 2026 were streamed live and free (no login required) on the IHF Competitions YouTube channel (geo-restrictions will apply) click HERE for more information.

2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships

Final Ranking

Men’s Competition
1 Germany
2 Brazil
3 Argentina
4 Croatia
5 Spain
6 Portugal
7 Denmark
8 Hungary
9 Islamic Republic of Iran
10 France
11 Italy
12 Tunisia
13 United States of America
14 Oman
15 Australia
16 Puerto Rico

Women’s Competition
1 Argentina
2 Denmark
3 Spain
4 Brazil
5 Germany
6 Greece
7 Netherlands
8 Croatia
9 Norway
10 Uruguay
11 Vietnam
12 Philippines
13 Puerto Rico
14 United States of America
15 Cook Island
16 Benin*
*Benin withdrew from the competition