On the fringe of the 25th IHF Men’s World Championship the IHF Council met, with one of the main items on the agenda the awarding of the 2021 and 2023 Women’s World Championships. Spain won the big for 2021, while the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship was awarded to the co-bidders from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. 

Spain have never hosted the Women’s World Championship, but organised the men’s event in 2013 with great success. For Denmark, Norway and Sweden the three-way joint bid is a first for an IHF World Championship, though each have been awarded organising rights for several major men’s and women’s events. 

Denmark hosted the Women’s World Championship in 2015, while Norway organised the 1993 edition, and they were co-hosts of the 1999 tournament. Denmark also organised the 1978 Men’s World Championship, and Sweden have hosted the men’s event on four occasions – in 1954, 1967, 1993 and 2011.