Muscat – Oman has won the bid to host the 2028 Beach Handball World Championships, bringing the global tournament back to the sultanate for the second time.

The International Handball Federation (IHF) awarded Oman the hosting rights following competition from several European bids, according to the Oman Handball Association (OHA).

The championships will be staged in Dhofar during the khareef season and are expected to feature 32 teams – 16 men’s and 16 women’s sides.

Oman previously hosted the fifth edition of the Beach Handball World Championships in 2012.

Musa bin Khamis Al Balushi, Chairman of OHA, said securing the 2028 event followed sustained support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and efforts to strengthen Oman’s standing in beach handball.

He pointed to the national team’s recent success, including titles at the Gulf Beach Games and the 10th Asian Beach Handball Championship in 2025.

Al Balushi said the association had begun drawing up a comprehensive plan for the championships, including upgrading courts and other facilities in Dhofar in coordination with relevant authorities.

Preparations will also focus on the national team as Oman seeks a strong showing on home soil.

Hosting the championships during Dhofar Khareef is also expected to support sports tourism by bringing teams, officials and supporters to the governorate during one of its busiest tourism periods.

Oman has a strong record in international beach handball, with the national team having competed in several world-level tournaments and achieved notable finishes, including fourth place at a World Championship edition.