On the eve of the 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships, IHF Beach Handball Working Group Chair, Giampiero Masi, shares his thoughts with ihf.info in his own words.

The 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia represents another important milestone in the continued growth of our sport.

It is a reflection of the extraordinary journey of Beach Handball and its growing international impact.

Bringing the world’s best men’s and women’s teams together at Lake Jarun, in one of Beach Handball’s most passionate countries – Croatia – will create an outstanding showcase for our athletes, our values and our future and provides a global platform to showcase the highest level of competition.

Beach handball continues to inspire new generations and attract new athletes, fans and stakeholders through its unique combination of creativity, dynamism, innovation, accessibility and Fair Play.

I am confident that Croatia 2026 will set new standards of excellence and convinced it will leave a lasting legacy for the global Beach Handball community.

All continents represented, new and old faces present

Our sport continues developing across all continents, with athletes, teams and federations contributing to an increasingly competitive and diverse global landscape.

Croatia 2026 will bring together the very best representatives from every corner of the world, showcasing not only the highest level of competition, but also the unity, friendship and cultural exchange that make international sport so special.

The line-up of teams and nations present at Croatia 2026 highlights the remarkable and continued evolution of Beach Handball on every continent.

Among the qualified teams competing at Lake Jarun are nations with outstanding IHF Beach Handball World Championship legacies and histories playing against and alongside ambitious newcomers who have earned their place through impressive performances in qualification tournaments.

And this is one of the most exciting aspects of every IHF Beach Handball World Championship: witnessing new teams and nations taking their place on the global stage.

The women’s teams from Cook Islands and Benin, the men’s teams from France and Italy – Croatia 2026 perfectly reflects the global momentum our sport is experiencing.

Each of these teams arrives with a different story and a different Beach Handball culture, yet they all share the same determination and ambition that have brought them to this moment.

For France and Italy, participation marks the reward for years of investment in developing competitive Beach Handball programmes and creating opportunities for athletes to perform at the highest level.

For Benin and Cook Islands, their qualification is equally significant because it demonstrates how our sport continues to grow beyond its traditional strongholds and reach and establish itself in new communities around the world.

It is the culmination of the long-term, excellent work being carried out by players, coaches, officials, volunteers and national and continental federations around the world who have believed in the potential of our sport and worked tirelessly to advance it in their countries and who have helped grow the depth and quality of Beach Handball at the international level.

The achievement of this quartet of debutants at Croatia 2026 sends a powerful message that dedication and sustained development can open the door to the highest level of international competition.

Their presence will bring fresh energy, new playing styles and unique perspectives to the competition, enriching the championships for athletes, fans and the global Beach Handball community.

This combination of experience and emerging talent promises to make Croatia 2026 one of the most competitive IHF Beach Handball World Championships in the history of our sport.

And I am also convinced that their participation will inspire even more nations to pursue the dream of competing at future IHF Beach Handball World Championships and will further strengthen the worldwide growth of our sport.

We are proud to welcome these four debutants to the premier event of the Beach Handball family and I say ‘welcome aboard’ to them all.

Developing the game

Croatia 2026 is also the first IHF Beach Handball World Championship which will be played under the ’Amendments to the Rules of the Game for Beach Handball’ which came into effect on 1 April 2026.

This marks the culmination of an extensive review process carried out by the IHF Beach Handball Working Group in close co-operation with experts, referees, coaches, delegates and representatives from across the global Beach Handball community.

Our goal throughout this process has been to preserve the unique identity and spectacular character of our sport while ensuring that the game continues to evolve in a way that promotes fairness, consistency, safety and a greater understanding for all stakeholders.

The amendments are designed to provide clearer guidance for referees and teams in key match situations, particularly regarding passive play, the management of the final phases of games and the application of disciplinary sanctions.

At the same time, the amended rules place an even stronger emphasis on player welfare and sporting integrity, which remain fundamental principles of our sport.

On behalf of the IHF Beach Handball Working Group, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to this process through their expertise, feedback and commitment to the sport.

I am confident that these rule amendments will further enhance the quality of competition and the overall experience for players, officials, organisers, media and spectators alike.

 A unique opportunity

As the Beach Handball community gather in Croatia, we will not only witness outstanding performances on the sand, but also demonstrate the power of sport to connect continents, cultures and people.

The 2026 IHF Men’s and Women’s Beach Handball World Championships is a unique opportunity to celebrate the diversity, passion and progress that define our community and I am certain that Croatia 2026 will mark another important chapter in the continued global growth of Beach Handball.