Skopje, 6 August 2025 (MIA) - Macedonia will host the 2026 World School Handball Championship. The major international event will take place on April 20-29, 2026 in Skopje, and it will be organized by the Ministry of Sport and the Federation for School Sports of Macedonia.

The official agreement for the organization of the competition was signed Wednesday by Minister of Sport Borko Ristovski, the President of the Federation for School Sports of Macedonia, Elena Mickovska, and the President of the International School Sport Federation (ISF), Željko Tanasković.

Minister Ristovski said the organization of the competition represents a recognition of the Ministry's commitments to ensure sport is a part of young people’s daily lives through the school system.

“I am proud that Macedonia will host such a significant global sporting event. This competition is a recognition of our commitment to making sport an integral part of young people’s lives. This event represents a broader platform that unites sport, education, youth policies and international cooperation. Such international competitions are a great encouragement and inspiration for students to join sporting activities, to compete, to nurture real values and grow as individuals. I believe that our young handball players will use this moment as motivation for even greater sporting success,” Ristovski said. 

ISF President Željko Tanasković highlighted the significance of the major competition in handball, as a sport that is especially popular in the Balkans.

Noting the importance and the responsibility of hosting such a major event, the President of the Federation for School Sports of Macedonia, Elena Mickovska, said the World School Handball Championship will be a real sports festival for the city and the country.

The 2026 World School Handball Championship is expected to bring together around 1000 high school handball players from all over the world.

Photo: Ministry of Sport