In July and August 2020, 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams will fight it out in Tokyo for Olympic Gold as the Games of the XXXII Olympiad take place in the Japanese capital from 24 July - 9 August.

 

IHF.info can now confirm the qualification pathway for all the national teams around the world to make their way to Japan.

 

Host Nation

As host nation, Japan qualify directly in both the men’s and women’s competitions, leaving 11 places in each competition to be filled. The continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and Pan America (including both North America and the Caribbean Handball Confederation and South and Central America Handball Confederation) will be represented by at least one team.

 

The winners of the 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany/Denmark and the 2019 IHF Women’s World Championship in Japan directly qualify for the event. If either Japan team were to win the respective 2019 IHF World Championship, then the next highest-ranked team will take the qualification spot.

 

Continental Representatives

The continental representatives from Asia, Africa, Europe and Pan America will be the top-ranked teams from their respective Continental Qualification events.

 

If the winners of the 2019 IHF Men’s or Women’s World Championships, or Japan, were to win their respective Continental Qualification tournament, then the next highest-ranked team will take the qualification sport.

 

Olympic Qualification Tournaments

12 teams will compete in both the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournaments, with teams ranked 2nd-7th (6 in total) in their respective 2019 IHF World Championship participating. 

 

The remaining six teams will consist of the two from the best ranked continent at the respective 2019 World Championship, two from the second-best continent and one each from the third and fourth best continent.

 

If one or more teams who have placed between 2nd-7th at their respective 2019 IHF World Championship have already qualified for Tokyo 2020 at their Continental Qualification event, then the teams placed 8th onwards will be eligible to participation in the Olympic Qualification Tournaments.

 

QUALIFICATION PATHWAY – HANDBALL COMPETITION, TOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC GAMES

 

WOMEN

1 Team IHF Women’s World Championship

29 November - 15 December 2019 (Japan)

 

4 Teams Continental Qualification Events

Pan America: Pan American Games: 26 July - 11 August 2019 (Peru)

 

Asia: AHF Women’s Asian qualification event: 21-29 September 2019 (Location TBC)

 

Europe: EHF Women’s European Championship: 29 November - 16 December 2018 (France)

 

Africa: Women's African Championship: December 2018 (Dates/location TBC)

 

6 Teams Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournaments

19-22 March 2020 (Locations TBC)

                               

Six places will be allocated through three tournaments featuring four teams each. The two highest placed teams in each tournament will book their ticket to Tokyo.

 

MEN

1 Team IHF Men’s World Championship

10-27 January 2019 (Denmark, Germany)

 

4 Teams Continental Qualification Events

Pan America: Pan American Games: 26 July - 11 August 2019 (Peru)

 

Asia: AHF Men’s Asian qualification event: 17-27 October 2019 (Location TBC)

 

Europe: EHF Men’s European Championship: 10-26 January 2020 (Austria, Denmark, Norway)

 

Africa: CAHB Men’s African Championship: January 2020 (Dates/location TBC)

 

6 Teams Men’s Olympic Qualification Tournaments

16-19 April 2020 (Locations TBC)

                               

Six places will be allocated through three tournaments featuring four teams each. The two highest placed teams in each tournament will book their ticket to Tokyo.