The stage is set for the IHF Men’s World Championship 2027 in Germany. From 13 to 31 January, the world’s 32 best men’s national teams will compete for the coveted world title. The host venues have been confirmed for some time, and following the draw on 10 June in Munich, the throw-off times for all matches have now been finalised.
Groups A and B will kick off the tournament on 13 January, while the teams in Groups C to F will begin their campaigns on 14 January. Groups G and H enter the competition on 15 January. Group G includes one of the tournament favourites, reigning world champions Denmark, who can look forward to a truly unique atmosphere at Kiel’s Merkur Ostseehalle.
Merkur Ostseehalle – Home of Germany’s Most Successful Club
The home arena of German record champions THW Kiel accommodates up to 10,250 spectators and is widely regarded as one of the most intimidating venues in European handball. Few visiting teams enjoy travelling to Germany’s northern coast. The famous “White Wall” of THW supporters has inspired countless victories over the years.
Fans sit close to the court or directly behind the team benches, creating an atmosphere that transfers seamlessly from the stands onto the playing surface. The result is one of the most unique environments in world handball. The legendary atmosphere inside the arena has often laid the foundation for THW Kiel’s remarkable success. The “Zebras” have won an extraordinary collection of titles, like the German Championship 23 times and the EHF Champions League four times.
For THW supporters, however, the arena is much more than an intimidating fortress. They affectionately refer to it as their “second living room” – a reflection of the deep connection between the city of Kiel and the sport of handball. This passion extends throughout Schleswig-Holstein, where handball is by far the region’s number one sport. Therefore it´s no surprise that the 2027 World Championship will also visit Germany’s far north. Denmark, the reigning world champions, have been seeded as the top team in Group G in Kiel. A handball powerhouse playing in one of the sport’s most passionate regions. The world champions competing in the home arena of Germany’s record champions promises a truly special World Championship atmosphere.
Two continental champions, an Olympic semi-finalist – and one big unknown
One member of the Danish squad knows the atmosphere in Kiel better than most: Magnus Landin. The left wing spent eight seasons with THW Kiel before returning home to join Aalborg Håndbold in 2023.
For Landin and Denmark, the objective is clear: defend the World Championship title for a fourth consecutive time. Led by superstars such as Mathias Gidsel, Emil Nielsen and Magnus Saugstrup, Denmark once again enters the tournament as the team to beat. The foundations for a historic fifth consecutive world title are set to be laid in the home of Germany’s record champions. The Danes can also count on significant support from their own fans. It only takes an hour to get to Kiel from the german-danish border, while ferry connections between Rødby and the nearby island of Fehmarn make travelling to Kiel particularly convenient.
The journey is considerably longer for supporters of the United States. Fans travelling from North America will have to cross the Atlantic, but the USA can also rely on support from Europe—and even Germany. Many players in the North American champions have European roots. One of them is captain Ian Hüter. Born in Neuss, the playmaker currently represents HSG Nordhorn-Lingen in Germany’s second division. For Hüter, the World Championship will almost feel like a home tournament. His goal is clear: challenge the favourites and lead the USA into the Main Round.
While that would represent a major success for the Americans, Slovenia’s ambitions are considerably higher. After reaching the semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Uroš Zorman’s side believes it can once again compete among the world’s elite. The team is led on court by Aleks Vlah and new THW Kiel signing Domen Makuc. The MVP of the 2025 EHF Champions League Final Four will have six months to familiarise himself with the atmosphere inside the Merkur Ostseehalle before the tournament begins. In January, he will hope to celebrate three victories in his new home arena with Slovenia.
Angola will also be aiming to celebrate victories, although the challenge will be significant. The African side remains the biggest unknown in Group G. Their greatest achievements include bronze medals at the African Championship in 2004, 2016 and 2018. Their best World Championship result came in 2005, when they finished 20th. The Angolans hope to surpass that achievement in Germany. To do so, they must first survive the preliminary round. The last time Germany hosted the Men’s World Championship in 2019, Angola failed to win a match and exited in the group stage. Ironically, those matches were also played in Kiel. Whether history repeats itself remains to be seen.
Favorites vs. underdogs
Two favourites and two outsiders – on paper, Group G appears straightforward. Yet the fixture list promises plenty of excitement. Slovenia and Angola open the group, before Denmark faces the USA. The favorites will need to be fully focused from the very first throw-off, as any lapse could allow the underdogs to secure a spot in the main round. The second matchday follows a similar pattern. Slovenia first takes on the USA before Denmark meets Angola in the evening session.
The final round of matches could lead to matches that shape the further development of the tournament. Angola and the USA meet at 18:00 to fight for the remaining main round spot if the favored teams Slovenia and Denmark perform as expected.
The evening concludes with Denmark against Slovenia at 20:30. A repeat of the Paris 2024 Olympic semi-final, the encounter promises to be one of the highlights of the preliminary round. The Merkur Ostseehalle could once again transform into a roaring handball fortress, with two valuable Main Round points and top spot in the group on the line.
The full match schedule is available here.
Group G offers not only exciting matchups but also a unique handball experience: the reigning world champions competing in the home arena of Germany’s record champions, alongside world-class stars such as Mathias Gidsel, Magnus Saugstrup and Aleks Vlah. It is a spectacle no handball fan should miss.