Russia has been stripped of hosting rights for the European Handball Federation’s (EHF) women’s national team championships in 2026.

In a statement following an EHF executive committee meeting in Vienna, Austria last week, the continental body said: “For the women's EHF Euro 2026 the mandate was given to establish contact to the Russian handball federation as awarded organizers due to the current situation [regarding Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine].

"This contact has been established ... with the outcome that holding the event in Russia is not possible within the given timetable.

“Therefore, an alternative host shall be sought by the EHF according to the decision of the executive committee. Additional information on the new awarding process will be provided in due time.”

The decision has been taken as Russia's deployment inside Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues.

Following the invasion, the International Handball Federation banned all teams, officials, referees, and other personnel from both Russia and Belarus from taking part in its tournaments.

Russia had been awarded hosting rights to the 2026 EHF women’s Euros in November 2021 at an EHF extraordinary congress.

The 2022 edition of the biennial tournament (won by Norway) was held across Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia, while the 2024 Euros will be staged in Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland.

Russia had also bid for hosting rights to next year’s tournament but was eliminated in the first round of voting.

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