Preliminary round The 24 competing teams will be drawn into six preliminary groups of four teams each, and the matches in the preliminary round are scheduled to be held from 20 to 22 January. The two top teams from each group then proceed to the main round, while the third and fourth-placed teams play in the Presidents-Cup. On 14 July 2006, the groups of the tournament were determined:
Presidents-Cup The teams placed third and fourth in the preliminary round groups are divided into four groups of three teams, as such: The matches are scheduled for 24 to 26 January. On 28 January, the winners of group I and II then play each other for the 13th place, the runners-up play each other for the 15th place, and the third-placed play off for 17th place. The Group III and IV teams play off for 19th, 21st and 23rd place in the same fashion.
Main round The main round is scheduled for 24 to 28 January, and the teams will be divided into two groups of six teams. The teams carry forward match results from matches against the other team from their group to qualify for the main round. Four teams from each main round group qualify for the quarter-finals. No placement matches for the places 9 to 12 are scheduled.
Knockout stage The
knockout stage is scheduled to make up the last week of the tournament, starting on Tuesday 30 January and continuing until Sunday 4 February. The quarter-finals are set up so that the winner of one group will face the fourth-placed team in the other. Semi-finals and consolation matches are held on 1 February; two days later, the 5th and 7th place play-offs take place on 3 February, with the 3rd place play-off and final is scheduled for the following day.
Seedings The seedings for the preliminary round have been partially determined; the full seedings will be revealed when all qualifying matches have been played. Currently, the following seedings (in IHF terminology,
performance row) have been confirmed: • Pot 1: Spain, France, Denmark, Tunisia, Croatia, Germany • Pot 2: Europe 4, Europe 5, Europe 6, Europe 7, Europe 8, Europe 9 • Pot 3: Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Europe 10, Europe 11, Brazil • Pot 4: Angola, South Korea, Qatar, Argentina, Greenland, Australia ==Preliminary round==