2031 IHF Men’s World Championship

HSI | 2031 World Championship to be held in Iceland, Norway, and Denmark

For the first time since 1995, a major handball tournament will take place in Iceland. Earlier today, the International Handball Federation decided that the 2031 Men’s World Handball Championship will be held in Iceland, as well as in Denmark and Norway.

Iceland, Denmark, and Norway are more than ready to host a World Championship that will capture global attention. The countries’ handball federations have already joined forces and have big ideas when it comes to the organization of the tournament itself.

The countries are well equipped to host a successful World Championship. With their combined experience and deep roots in the handball community, it’s clear this will be a tournament offering an outstanding experience in sold-out arenas with extensive media coverage. The role of the fans will not be forgotten — great effort will be made to ensure they play a central part in this celebration.

Handball lies at the heart of these nations, and they can’t wait to host this tournament.

Morten Stieg Christiansen, President of the Danish Handball Federation:

“We are both proud and excited to welcome the 2031 Handball World Championship to Denmark, in collaboration with Norway and Iceland. This will be a true handball celebration, where the best teams in the world will create unforgettable moments for the audience and inspire the next generation to reach new heights. Together with our Nordic neighbors, we will do everything we can to create an unforgettable event.”

Kåre Geir Lio, President of the Norwegian Handball Federation:

“We are over the moon to have been awarded the 2031 World Handball Championship in collaboration with Denmark and Iceland. This tournament will showcase the strength and depth of handball in the Nordic countries — both the culture and the atmosphere. We’ve already worked with the Danes on several occasions, and we’re now really looking forward to welcoming the Icelanders into that partnership. There is a lot of excitement in our camp.”

Guðmundur B. Ólafsson, President of the Icelandic Handball Association:

“We are over the moon about the nomination, which means we get to host the World Championship together with our partners in Denmark and Norway. This great honor also reflects our ambition in our national sport. Our joint effort not only elevates the sport here in Iceland, but also shows that smaller nations have the potential to take part in organizing major tournaments through international cooperation.”

Lars Lundov, framkvæmdastjóri Sport Event Denmark

“Being awarded the 2031 Handball World Championship is a fantastic recognition of the work and tournament organization that has taken place in Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Alongside hosting a great event for both handball players and all the sport’s fans, we also intend to show the IHF and future organizers how such a tournament should be held in the years to come. Just four months ago, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden hosted a fantastic Women’s World Championship, and in only nine months, the Men’s World Championship will take place — partly here in Denmark as well.”

The 2031 World Championship will mark the seventh time that Denmark and Norway co-host a tournament, but it will be the first time that Iceland joins the partnership.

Previous World Championships held in the Nordic countries:

1954, Sweden

1967, Sweden

1978, Denmark

1993, Sweden

1995, Iceland

2011, Sweden

2019, Denmark (and Germany)

2023, Sweden (and Poland)

2025, Denmark, Norway (and Croatia)

2031, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland