North Macedonia has been selected to host the IHF Men’s Junior U21 World Championship in 2027, with the tournament scheduled to take place in Skopje from June 23 to July 4, bringing one of the most important global competitions for young handball players back to the country. The event is expected to gather the best U21 national teams in the world, with 32 national selections competing over nearly two weeks in the Macedonian capital. The championship is organized by the International Handball Federation (IHF) in cooperation with the Handball Federation of North Macedonia (RFM) and represents another major international sporting event entrusted to the country.
The tournament is regarded as one of the most significant competitions in international youth handball, serving as a key stage for the next generation of elite players. Since its establishment in 1977, the championship has been held every two years and features the world’s strongest national teams in the under-21 category. In recent editions, the competition has expanded to include 32 teams from multiple continents, highlighting its global scale and growing importance in the international handball calendar.
For North Macedonia, the 2027 championship marks another opportunity to position itself as an important host of major international handball events. The country previously organized the Men’s Junior World Championship in 2007, when matches were played in Skopje and Ohrid, with 20 national teams participating in that edition of the tournament. Sweden won the title that year after defeating Germany 31–29 in the final, while the Macedonian national team finished in 10th place.
However, the return of the junior men’s world championship to Skopje does not mean that the country has been absent from the international handball map in the meantime. North Macedonia has continued to host major international tournaments, including the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship in 2008, also staged in the country, with 20 teams competing, where Germany won the gold medal after defeating Denmark in the final. In addition, Skopje most recently hosted the IHF Women’s Junior World Championship in 2024, further confirming the city’s ability to organize large-scale international competitions with modern arenas and logistical capacity.
The decision to award the 2027 men’s junior world championship to North Macedonia is therefore seen as recognition of the country’s long tradition in handball and its proven organizational capabilities. Officials from the national federation have described the event as an important opportunity to promote Macedonian handball internationally while inspiring a new generation of domestic players and fans.
During the tournament, Skopje is expected to welcome hundreds of athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters from around the world. Beyond the sporting dimension, the championship is also anticipated to contribute to the international visibility of the country and to stimulate tourism and economic activity during the competition period.
With the return of the IHF Men’s Junior World Championship in 2027, North Macedonia will once again become a central stage for global handball, hosting the world’s most promising young players and continuing its long-standing tradition as a respected organizer of international handball events.
