Russia was deprived of the right to host the European Women's Handball Championship in 2026. This is the official website of the European Handball Federation (EHF). The Executive Committee of the EHF decided to deprive the aggressor state of the right to host the continental championship due to the full-scale war that the Russian Federation, with the support of Belarus, continues to wage against Ukraine. " After the meeting of the executive committee, consultations were held with the Russian Handball Federation and it was decided to look for an alternative venue for the tournament," After the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) advised sports federations not to hold their competitions on the territory of the aggressor countries.

On March 28, 2023, the IOC recommended that federations allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete in a neutral status with a number of restrictions. Russians and Belarusians are prohibited from participating in team sports, they must not support the war and contracts with the armies of the aggressor states. At the same time, sanctions against Russia and Belarus remain in force, as well as a ban on holding competitions in aggressor countries.. Recall that earlier the International Volleyball Federation extended the suspension of Russia and Belarus.