There are twenty four qualification places available for the WKC 2027. The framework aims at having the maximum possible Continents represented taking into consideration the Continental Championships 2026.
The Continental Championships that took place in 2026 are considered the main criteria for this qualification.
Therefore, the qualification criteria are as follows:
QUALIFIED TEAMS:
- Qualification Criteria – Africa
The IKF All-Africa Korfball Championships North 2026 and IKF All-Africa Korfball Championships South 2026 shall serve as qualification events for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2027 (WKC2027).
- If an AAKC event has four (4) or more participating teams, both the winner and the runner-up shall qualify for the WKC2027.
- If an AAKC event has three (3) or fewer participating teams, only the winner shall qualify.
- Any qualification place not allocated due to an insufficient number of participating teams shall be filled through the Global Reserve List.
- Qualification Criteria – Americas
The IKF Pan-American Korfball Championship 2026 (PAKC2026) shall serve as the qualification event for the WKC2027.
- If the PAKC2026 has four (4) or more participating teams, the top three (3) teams shall qualify.
- If the PAKC2026 has three (3) or fewer participating teams, only the top two (2) teams shall qualify.
- Any qualification place not allocated due to an insufficient number of participating teams shall be filled through the Global Reserve List.
- Qualification Criteria – Asia – Oceania
The IKF Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship 2026 (AOKC2026) shall serve as the qualification event for Asian and Oceania teams.
- The seven (7) highest-ranked teams in the overall IKF Asia-Oceania Korfball Championship 2026 final standings shall qualify for the WKC2027.
- The highest-ranked Oceania team shall qualify for the WKC2027.
- A second Oceania team shall qualify only if it finishes within the overall top seven (7) of the AOKC2026 final standings.
- If the second Oceania qualification place is not allocated, it shall be filled through the Asia Reserve List.
- Any qualification place not allocated due to an insufficient number of participating teams shall be filled through the Global Reserve List.
- Qualification Criteria – Europe
The IKF European Korfball Championship 2026 (EKC2026) shall serve as the qualification event for the WKC2027.
- The top ten (10) teams shall qualify for the WKC2027, provided that at least seventeen (17) teams participate across the EKC2026 and EKC2026 Round 1 competitions.
RESERVE TEAMS:
Two reserve systems shall apply:
- Continental Reserve Lists
- Global Reserve List
CONTINENTAL RESERVE LISTS
- Africa Reserve List
For each AAKC event:
- The next highest-ranked non-qualified team shall be the first replacement for a qualified team from the same event.
- If no replacement is available from that event, the next highest-ranked non-qualified team from the other AAKC event shall become the replacement.
- If no eligible replacement is available from either AAKC event, the vacant place shall be allocated through the Global Reserve List.
- Americas Reserve List
- The highest-ranked non-qualified team from the PAKC2026 shall be the first replacement.
- If no eligible replacement is available, the vacant place shall be allocated through the Global Reserve List.
- Asia Oceania Reserve List
- If a qualified Asian team withdraws, it shall be replaced by the next highest-ranked non-qualified Asian team from the AOKC2026 final standings.
- If no eligible Asian or Oceania replacement is available, the vacant place shall be allocated through the Global Reserve List.
- Europe Reserve List
- If a qualified European team withdraws, it shall be replaced by the next highest-ranked non-qualified European team from the EKC2026 final standings.
- If no eligible European replacement is available, the vacant place shall be allocated through the Global Reserve List.
GLOBAL RESERVE LIST
Whenever a qualification place cannot be filled through the relevant Continental Reserve List, the vacancy shall be allocated through the Global Reserve List.
The Global Reserve List shall be created as follows:
- The highest-ranked non-qualified European team.
- The highest-ranked non-qualified Asian team.
- The second highest-ranked non-qualified European team.
- The second highest-ranked non-qualified Asian team.
- The process shall continue by alternating between Europe and Asia according to the final classification of the EKC2026 and AOKC2026 until all non-qualified teams from both events have been exhausted.
- Thereafter, any remaining vacancies shall be filled according to the IKF World Ranking on 31 December 2026.