By: Reem Sameh

After months of waiting, every team found their opponents in the 27th Men's Handball World Cup, that takes place in Egypt from 13-31 January, 2021, in coordination of the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the Egyptian and International Handball Federations.

Egypt is in Group G with Sweden, the winner of the first title at IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt, in 1999, the Czech Republic and the South and Central America qualifier winner, set to be known in November.

IHF Competitions Director Patric Strub clarified the draw details that depends on dividing the 32 teams into 8 groups each includes 4 teams, the first 3 teams qualify for the main round that includes 24 teams to be divided into 4 groups each includes 6 teams, the first and second group qualify for the quarter final where the defeated team is out, then the semi final takes place followed by the final match.

IHF Commission of Organising and Competition (COC) Chairperson Per Bertelsen and IHF Competitions Director Patric Strub conducted the draw, assisted by captain Ahmed Elahmar, the national team leader, Abdelrahman Mohamed Homayed, the best goalkeeper in the 2019 World Junior Cup in Macedonia, Hassan Kaddah, the 2019 World Cup scorer, and Ali Zein, a professional player at Sharjah UAE club and the Egyptian national team.

The results came as follows:

Group A: Germany, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Hungary.

Group B: Spain, Brazil, Poland and Tunisia.

Group C: Croatia, Qatar, Japan and Angola.

Group D: Denmark, DR Congo, Bahrain and Argentina. 

Group E: Norway, France, Australia and NACHC.

Group F: Portugal, Iceland, Algeria and Morocco, 

Group G: Egypt, Sweden, Czech Republic and the South and Central America qualifier winner. 

Group H: Slovenia, Russia, Belarus, and South Korea.