Kiril Lazarov calls up squad for Euro 2028 qualifiers

North Macedonia's men's handball team begins a new qualifying bid for the 2028 European Championship today, 1 November 2026, with coach Kiril Lazarov assembling the squad ahead of the opening qualifier.

The national side are drawn into Group 8 alongside Sweden, Greece and Luxembourg. The first match of the campaign is against Luxembourg and is scheduled for Wednesday at 19:00 in SC "Jane Sandanski"; four days later North Macedonia will travel to face Greece.

Squad call and availability

Lazarov will officially call the players together at Hotel "Alexander Palace" at 14:30. On the first day of the gathering the coach will not have access to players from Vardar and Pelister, as those clubs meet in a derby today — a rare coincidence that may leave key national-team members fatigued rather than rested.

A new face on Lazarov's shortened list is Dmytro Khorikha, who received permission to wear the red-and-yellow jersey and will join the squad for these qualifiers.

North Macedonia has taken part in nine European Championships so far, eight of them consecutively, and the team is now chasing a tenth appearance on the continent.

Photo: press material from the event