The draw for the 24th IHF Women’s World Championship was held in Tokyo on Friday 21 June, with the 24 teams vying for the title learning their preliminary round opponents.

 

Reigning world and European champions France were drawn into Group B, alongside Denmark, Germany, Republic of Korea, Brazil and Australia. Current Olympic title holders and runners-up at the Women’s EHF EURO 2018, Russia, will start in Group D, meeting Sweden, Japan, P.R. of China, Argentina and Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

As hosts, Japan were the only team not drawn into their group – from pot 3, they chose Group D after the drawing of pots 6 to 4.

 

The silver and bronze medallists at the 2017 World Championship, Norway and Netherlands, will both play from Group A.

 

The full draw results are as follows:

Group A: Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Angola, Cuba
Group B: France, Denmark, Germany, Republic of Korea, Brazil, Australia
Group C: Romania, Hungary, Montenegro, Spain, Senegal, Kazakhstan

Group D: Russia, Sweden, Japan, P.R. of China, Argentina, DR Congo

 

After the preliminary matches, the top three sides in each group will proceed to the main round. From the main round, the top two teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals.

 

The 24th IHF Women’s World Championship will be played in Kumamoto, Japan from November 30 to December 15 2019