ISF WSC Handball 2026 Concludes Successfully
Apr. 28, Skopje, North Macedonia – The ISF World School Handball Championship – Skopje 2026 officially came to a close today, marking the end of six days of competition, and cultural exchange with shared experiences in school sport.
A total of 20 delegations took part in the event, with 21 boys’ teams and 16 girls’ teams competing for the final rankings.
In the boys’ tournament, the host team North Macedonia claimed the title, followed by Israel and Croatia. While, in the girls’ competition, Croatia secured first place, ahead of North Macedonia and Türkiye.
A Record-Breaking Edition
Skopje 2026 stands as the largest ISF World School Handball Championship ever organised.
The event brought together 656 participants, including 474 school athletes, highlighting the continued growth and global reach of school handball.
This record participation reflects the increasing engagement of ISF members and the strong appeal of school sport as a platform for both competition and education.
A First for North Macedonia
This edition marked the first time that North Macedonia hosted an ISF World School Handball Championship. The organisation of the event was the result of a long-term commitment by the national school sport federation, which began its preparation process through observation and engagement in previous ISF events.
The championship also benefited from strong institutional support, notably from the Ministry of Youth and Sport of North Macedonia and the Handball Federation of North Macedonia.
The presence of the President of the Republic at the Opening Ceremony, where she officially declared the event open, underlined the country’s dedication to the development of school sport and the well-being of younger generations.
Beyond Competition: Education and Cultural Exchange
In line with ISF’s educational mission, the championship extended beyond the field of play through a series of dedicated activities.
Participants took part in ISF Academy workshops addressing key topics such as anti-doping and safeguarding, supporting young athletes in developing awareness, responsibility, and self-protection.
Cultural exchange was also at the heart of the event, with opportunities for delegations to share traditions, interact with peers from different backgrounds, and build lasting connections in an international environment.
These moments reinforced the role of school sport as a space for learning, respect, and global understanding.
Following the success of Skopje 2026, the ISF calendar continues with the next event: ISF World School Basketball Championship – Zlatibor 2026, set to open on 14 June in Zlatibor, Serbia. As ISF moves forward, it remains committed to fostering international school sport events that combine competition with education, and performance with personal development.
