To secure the player’s comfort and reduce or prevent their injuries at major tournaments the Council of the International Handball Federation agreed on a rule change for all upcoming World Championships (men and women). Instead of 14 players, as it was up to 2009, 16 players will be allowed now to be nominated for the starting lists of each match at World Championships. In order to implement the idea of an increasing number of players the IHF approached all continents to implement this change in the continental qualifying championships. the decision takes immediate effect.