section_path: Qualification/Wildcards
section_name: Wildcards
paragraph_text: Wildcards
  
  After no Oceanian team achieved a top 5 finish in the Asian Championship, two wildcards were given out by the IHF.
  
  On 31 March 2025, China was given the first wildcard due to good performances and country's position, making it a big market for the sport.
  
  The United States were provisionally given a wildcard, so the team could use this opportunity to prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympics which they will be hosting. However, their lack of progress led the IHF to choose a different wildcard. Later on, four countries applied.
  
  After their play off loss to Serbia, Slovenia's coach, Dragan Adžić, stated that his team deserved the last wildcard.
  
  On 12 May 2025, Croatia was given the second wildcard.