2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships

The junior races preceded the senior races, and the senior men's event concluded the program. The 46th edition of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships was held on 10 January 2026. The schedule consisted of five events– 10 km men and women, 8 km under-20 men, 6 km under-20 women, and 4 x 2 km mixed relay. In each of the races, each nation was allowed to field a maximum of up to six athletes. The mixed relay team consisted of teams of two women and two men each running one loop of the course in a specified order, starting with a male and alternating between genders. Athletes were to carry a wristband that was to be transferred to the next athlete within the takeover zone. ==Broadcast==

2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships Course Map ==Senior Races Prize Money==

A total of 485 athletes are entered for the championships, with 52 federations being represented. ==Medalists==

Senior 4x2km Mixed Relay Senior Men } } } } }) } Senior women }|Uganda}} } U20 men U20 women ==Controversies==

At least 14 Ethiopian athletes were denied visas to enter the United States to participate in this competition. Ethiopia was unable to field teams in the men's and women's U20 races, ending Ethiopia's record of medaling in those competitions. Although Ethiopia had won men's U20 team medals every year since 1982, in 2026 there was no Ethiopian U20 men's team as the US refused visas for all but one of the six men selected. Since their debut in 1990, Ethiopia's U20 women had won medals in 27 consecutive championships, including team golds at the last five events. In 2026, only three Ethiopian U20 women of six selected were granted visas. Four athletes are needed to complete a junior team at the world cross-country. According to Ethiopian officials, 23 of the original 34 visa requests were rejected. ==References==