Handball's Global Push Faces Challenges in Multi-Nation World Cup

The 2025 Handball World Championship in three countries highlights logistical, ecological, and audience-related hurdles while sparking discussions on the sport's global growth.

• The 2025 Handball World Championship is being co-hosted by Croatia, Norway, and Denmark, marking the first time the event spans three nations.
• Attendance issues plague the tournament, with some games drawing as few as 72 spectators, raising concerns about fan interest and ticket sales outside host nations' teams.
• The ecological impact of extensive travel between venues has drawn criticism, contrasting with prior efforts to prioritize sustainability in other tournaments.
• Efforts to globalize handball include a new U.S.-focused initiative, 'America Deserves Handball,' aiming to establish a professional league and annual tournaments by 2028.
• Officials debate the balance between expanding handball's global reach and maintaining its European stronghold, with concerns about the sport's Olympic status if global diversity is not achieved.

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