Faroe Islands stun Handball World, Reach WC Quarterfinals in Historic Upset
Katowice, Poland – november 29, 2025 – The Faroe Islands men’s handball team achieved a monumental upset today, securing a place in the quarterfinal stage of the 2025 World Men’s Handball Championship. The victory marks the first time the island nation of roughly 54,000 people has reached this level of competition in the tournament, sending shockwaves through the handball world. They defeated Egypt 26-24 in the Round of Sixteen match played in Katowice.
This improbable run to the quarterfinals represents a watershed moment for handball in the Faroe Islands, a nation rapidly gaining recognition for its sporting prowess despite its small size. The team’s success has ignited national pride and captured the attention of fans globally, demonstrating the potential for smaller nations to compete at the highest level. The quarterfinals will be held on wednesday, January 22, 2026, in Gdansk, Poland.
the Faroese team,ranked 22nd in the world,entered the championship as underdogs. Their journey included a dramatic win against Angola (31-29) and a hard-fought draw against Croatia (27-27) during the group stage, ultimately securing their place in the knockout rounds.
“It’s the wildest feeling,” said Faroese player Camilla Herrem in a post-match interview, as reported by VGTV.”We’ve worked so hard for this,and to see it pay off is amazing.”
Handball is a popular sport in the Faroe Islands, with a growing domestic league and increasing participation among youth. This recent success is expected to further boost the sport’s profile and inspire a new generation of players. The Faroes are an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, but compete independently in many sports.
