International Handball Federation Bars Belarus National Team From Tournament in Morocco but Promises to Consider Reinstatement

On 31 October 2025 the Belarus women’s national team was scheduled to travel to Morocco, but less than 24 hours before departure the tournament organizers sent a notice stating that the Belarus team could not participate due to a ban imposed by the International Handball Federation (IHF), the press service of the Belarus Handball Federation (BHF) reported.

Head of the BHF Uladzimir Konaplyou sought clarification from the IHF and received the expected response that Belarus is considered a co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine and is not allowed to take part in IHF events under a federation decision dated 4 March 2022.

“Following the violation of the Olympic Truce by the government of Russia and the government of Belarus, and in line with the recommendations of the IOC Executive Board, the IHF Council unanimously decided to immediately prohibit all teams, officials, referees, lecturers and experts from Russia and Belarus from participating in IHF events and activities until further notice,” the clarification published by the BHF press service said.

At the same time, the International Handball Federation promised to make efforts to reintegrate the national teams of Russia and Belarus into IHF events starting in 2026.

“Since the IHF plans to reintegrate the national teams of Russia and Belarus into IHF events beginning in 2026, we would greatly appreciate your patience and cooperation, which will allow us to work on the final stages of the aforementioned reintegration,” the IHF response said.