The list of participating teams in the 2026 European Women’s Championship has been finalized, as eight teams secured their spots following four qualifying tournaments held over the weekend. Portugal, Romania, Germany, Turkey, Serbia, Switzerland, Israel, and Slovakia
The teams that qualified for the championships based on the standings at the 2024 Europeans are the Netherlands, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Great Britain, and Croatia.
We have all participating teams, but we are still awaiting confirmation on the dates and the host country for the championships. A few months ago, European Aquatics announced that the men’s and women’s championships would be held separately. The men’s teams will compete in Belgrade in January. However, there is no official information yet regarding the women’s tournament. Some sources suggest that Italy or Spain could be potential hosts for the event.
The final standings in all qualification groups are more or less as expected. Thirteen teams participated, so only five didn’t qualify. There were no surprises.
The group in Setubal (Portugal) was the most balanced. Host Portugal finished in 1st place, beating the Czech Republic 18:12 and Romania 13:7. Romania edged out the Czech Republic 12:11 to secure 2nd place and a qualifying berth. The Czech Republic was the only team that participated in the 2024 Europeans and in this season’s qualifications to fail to qualify for the next year’s Europeans.
Compared to the 2024 Europeans, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria will miss the next edition, but Bulgaria didn’t enter the qualifications.
Portugal and Switzerland replace these two nations.
Portugal returns to the European Championships after a ten-year absence. Switzerland hasn’t played at the continental championships since 1995.
The Swiss won 2nd place in Group C in Novi Sad – the only one with four teams. Host Serbia dominated, recording three convincing wins and finishing the tournament with a 72:16 goal difference. Switzerland defeated Finland 21:9 in the first round, while it beat Ukraine 10:7 in today’s decisive match for 2nd place.
Germany and Turkiye qualified from the group in Hannover. Both teams were too strong for Malta, and the Germans defeated the Turks 15:9 to finish atop.
Israel recorded two convincing wins over Slovakia and Sweden in Novaky. Slovakia, the home team, joined Israel at the 2026 Europeans, thanks to a 16:7 win over Sweden.
2026 European Women’s Championships Qualifications
Group A (Setubal, Portugal)
Results: Portugal – Czech Republic 18:12, Czech Republic – Romania 11:12, Portugal – Romania 13:7
Standings: 1. Portugal 6, 3. Romania 3, 3. Czech Republic 0.
Group B (Hannover, Germany)
Results: Germany – Malta 14:2, Malta – Turkiye 7:21, Germany – Turkiye 15:9.
Standings: 1. Germany 6, 2. Turkiye 3, 3. Malta 0.
Group C (Novi Sad, Serbia)
Results: Serbia – Ukraine 18:2, Switzerland – Finland 21:9, Serbia – Switzerland 24:7, Ukraine – Finland 20:7, Serbia – Finland 30:7, Switzerland – Ukraine 10:7.
Standings: 1. Serbia 9, 2. Switzerland 6, 3. Ukraine 3, 4. Finland 0.
Group D (Novaky, Slovakia)
Results: Israel – Sweden 22:8, Slovakia – Sweden 16:7, Slovakia – Israel 11:21.
Standings: 1. Israel 6, 2. Slovakia 3, 3. Sweden 0.
More articles about the European Championships
