World Indoor Champs 2026 Previews
Event-by-event short previews
Men
60 m: In 100 m ranks, Thompson is the clear top name, Anthony, the new kid on the block, and Bromell, with Azu, with a lot of indoor experience.
400 m: McRae unbeaten in the US, Molnar unbeaten in Europe. Richards knows how to perform at championships. First, a sub-45 in the event should happen, or maybe even more?
800 m: Crestan has won all 4 races so far in 26; Bol comes from the Australian summer to debut at World indoors; Attaoui is not strong in times, but world ranked no. 5; Lutkenhaus – the youngster.
1500 m: World champ Nader and his kick, can somebody challenge him?
3000 m: Straight final and big names in it, Kerr, Nuguse, Hocker. No matter who leads the lists. One of the top highlights.
60mH: No Holloway, so open for home success (Szymanski), but Cunningham/Beard on the US side, and also to mention a strong Euro presence (Belocian, Llopis, Simonelli). The top 3 have identical SB 7.37.
HJ: Woo and Doroshchuk to fight for the top, but Stefela leads the list. WL might be needed for gold.
PV: Mondo is in WR shape, MR 620 may not be a big factor. Manolo also aims high and Bradford and Guttormsen also think about the podium.
LJ: Saraboyukov is in big shape, Furlani reigning champion, and Tentoglou the all-time great.
TJ: Very open. Triki leads the lists. Hechavarria jumped far outdoors, and two Tokyo medalists, Dallavalle and Martinez, are there. But A. Diaz has the best PB.
SP: Fabbri looks clear, and the US representation for other medals. Old-time hero Walsh is always ready for a big event (if the 7th medal would be the most at World Indoors). Indoor WL for gold.
Hep: Ehammer with US duo Baldwin, Garland. Another name on the podium would be a surprise.
4×400 m: US looks clear; big fight for other medals; mention Jamaica, Belgium, and the Netherlands. 3:01.51 is the indoor WR.
Women
60 m: Alfred and Dosso for sub 7. And Jonielle Smith was also fast in Jamaica. MR 6.95 could go, also WL 6.99.
400 m: Jager on the list but competed only once, Bukowiecka home hero, Klaver top experience, and Zapletalova attacking from the hurdles ranks. In the new 2-final system, many things can happen.
800 m: Hodgkinson as WR breaker able to break 1:56.90 MR. Werro, Boffey, and Duguma for the other places on the podium. (Dugma out due to VISA).
1500 m: Hunter Bell is unbeaten this winter. Haylom after 3 wins, 3 times lost. Afonso, Hiltz, and Hull have sufficient experience. Do Not to underestimate Guillemot.
3000 m: Hailu fast race in Lievin, Battocletti there too with Australian duo Hall, Hull. Straight final.
60mH: European force Kambundji, Visser, Skrzyszowska vs. Charlton. WL is highly likely.
HJ: Mahuchikh and Topic three meet and three wins. Serbian with the first 2m. Onlyslagers has only one small comp in Australia. 205 is the MR.
PV: McCartney and Caudery had the best PB´s, but Sutej and Svabikova competed well on the circuit. Bonnin is the defender.
LJ: Iapichino 4 wins, De Sousa 3 wins, and no loss in 26. Matuszewicz and Kalin to surprise. First 7 of the year?
TJ: Overseas medals here. WR holder Rojas is back, Hernandez has two wins out of two, and LaFond is an Olympic winner.
SP: Schilder vs Jackson (they did not meet this year, overall Jackson leads 26:11) and Ogunleye with Mitton waiting behind.
Pen: Can Hall attack the Thiam WR 5055? Polish duo will be pushed by spectators, but big trio without indoor score is there too (Dokter, O´Connor, Brooks).
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
4×400 m: USA looks clear, Poland and the Netherlands for the podium.
4×400 m MIX: USA in the debut of this event. The other 5 invited teams depend on runners, as all of them will be able to attack the podium (JAM, POL, NED, BEL, ESP). The Netherlands clocked an all-time best 3:15.63 last year at EuroIndoors. Target time for first short track WR is 3:12.44 and for first European record 3:15.50.
