Handball in Orléans, May 17, 2026: France vs Czech Republic — IHF 2027 World Championship Qualification
- Laurent
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 17
France vs Czech Republic at Arena CO'Met Orléans: A Handball Play-Off for the IHF 2027 World Championship
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Arena CO'Met in Orléans hosts a historic event: the French men's handball team takes on the Czech Republic at 5 PM in the return leg of the IHF 2027 World Championship qualification play-off.
A decisive play-off for Les Bleus
After a disappointing 7th place finish at Euro 2026, France did not secure automatic qualification for the World Championship. They now face a two-legged play-off against the Czech Republic. The first leg takes place on Wednesday, May 13 in Brno, before the decisive home leg in Orléans four days later. Win the tie and Les Bleus punch their ticket to the IHF 2027 World Championship, scheduled in Germany from January 13 to 31, 2027.
Everything will be decided at Orléans. Every possession, every action will count. Led by players like Dika Mem, the French squad will be counting on the famous CO'Met atmosphere — one of the most electrifying in French handball — to get them over the line.
CO'Met and the French national team: a love story
This will be the third time Les Bleus have stepped onto the CO'Met court. In January 2023, the French team inaugurated the arena with a victory over Egypt in front of 10,000 passionate supporters. Then in November 2024, another win against Sweden confirmed the national team's strong bond with the Orléans venue. The crowd turned the arena into a cauldron that night — and the stakes will be even higher on May 17, with a World Championship berth on the line.
Attending the match? Stay right next to the arena
If you're making the trip to support Les Bleus on May 17, Urban Jungle Hôtel Orléans is perfectly located in the city centre, just a few minutes from the CO'Met Arena by tram. Our 3-star eco-friendly boutique hotel — Green Key certified — offers the best price guaranteed when you book direct. A great way to turn this handball weekend into a full Orléans getaway.
Special offer: get -10% off your stay on the night of May 16 or 17 with promo code HAND10 when booking directly on our official website.
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