World Indoor Champs 2026 previews
Event-by-event short previews
Men
60 m. In the 100m, Thompson is the clear main name, with Anthony the new boy on the block and Bromell, along with Azu, with plenty of indoor experience.
400 m. McRae is undefeated in the US, Molnar is undefeated in Europe. Richards knows how to perform in championships. First, sub 45 has to happen, or maybe even more.
800 m. Crestan has won all 4 races so far 26; Ball is coming off the Australian summer with a debut at the World indoors; Attaoui is not strong at the time but is world no. 5; Lutkenhaus – the young man.
1500 m. world champion Nader and his shot, can anyone challenge him?
3000 m. Direct final and big names: Kerr, Nugus, Hawker. Regardless of who tops the lists. One of the most important points.
60 mH. No Holloway, so open to home success (Szymanski), but Cunningham/Beard from the US side, also note a strong Euro presence (Belocian, Llopis, Simonelli). Top 3 have identical SB 7.37.
HJ. Wu and Doroshchuk will battle it out for the top spot, but Stefela tops the list. WL may be needed for gold.
PV. Mondo is in WR condition, MR 620 may not be a big factor. Manolo is also aiming high, with Bradford and Gutormsen also thinking about the podium.
LJ: Saraboykov is in good form, the reigning Furlani champion, and Tentoglu is an all-time great.
TJ: Very open. The lists are headed by Triki. Hechavarria has jumped far outside and the two Tokyo medalists, Dallavale and Martinez, are there. But A. Diaz has the best PB.
SP: Fabri seems clear, and the US representation for other medals. An old-time hero, Walsh is always up for a big event (if a 7th medal is the most at World Indoors). Closed for WL gold.
Hep. Ehammer with US duo Baldwin, Garland. Another name on the podium would be a surprise.
4×400 m. The USA looks simple. great fight for other medals; mention Jamaica, Belgium and the Netherlands. 3:01.51 is a close WR.
Women
60 m. Alfred and Dosso for 7. And Joniel Smith was also fast in Jamaica. MR 6.95 could go, also WL 6.99.
400 m. Jaeger is on the list but has only played once, Bukovecka’s home hero, Claver’s best effort and Zapletalova attacked from the barricade. A lot can happen in the new 2-final system.
800 m. Hodgkinson was able to crack a 1:56.90 MR as a switch WR. Veron, Boffin and Duguman for the other podium places. (Check out due to VISA).
1500 m. Hunter Bell is undefeated this winter. After 3 victories, Hylom lost 3 times. Afonso, Hiltz and Hull have plenty of experience. Don’t underestimate Guillemot.
3000 m. Hailu fast race at Lievin, Battocletti there too with Australian Duo Hall, Hull. Direct final.
60 mH. European powerhouse Kambundji, Visser, Skrzyszowska v Charlton. WL has a high probability.
HZ: Mahuchich and Tema have three matches and three victories. Serbian: the first 2m. Onlyslagers only has one small comp in Australia. 205 MR.
PV. McCartney and Cowdery had the best PBs but Sutej and Svabikova raced well on the circuit. Bonnin is the quarterback.
LJ. Iappuccino 4 wins, De Souza 3 wins and no losses in 26. Matusevic and Kalin will surprise. The first 7 days of the year.
TJ. Foreign medals here. WR owner Rojas is back, Hernandez has won two out of two, and LaFond is an Olympic winner.
SP. Schilder vs Jackson (they didn’t meet this year, overall Jackson leads 26:11) and Ogunleye, with Mitton waiting behind.
Pen: Can Hall attack Thiam WR 5055? The Polish duo will be booed by the crowd, but there’s also a big trio without an inside score (Dokter, O’Connor, Brooks).
Eugene, Oregon, USA
July 31 – August 3, 2025 Photo by Kevin Morris
4×400 m. The USA looks clear, Poland and the Netherlands for the podium.
4×400m MIX – USA debuts in this event. The other 5 invited teams depend on the runners as they will all be able to attack the podium (JAM, POL, NED, BEL, ESP). The Netherlands ran an all-time best of 3:15.63 at the EuroIndoors last year. The target time for the first short track WR is 3:12.44 and for the first European record is 3:15.50.
