Bahrain to host 2026 Wrestling World Championships

Manama to stage first Arab edition of the event

Bahrain will make history as the first Arab nation to host the World Wrestling Championships in 2026, United World Wrestling (UWW) announced yesterday. The event is scheduled to take place in Manama from 5 to 13 September.

The announcement was made during the ongoing World Championships in Zagreb by UWW president Nenad Lalovic and Bahrain Olympic Committee secretary general Faris Al Kooheji, who signed the official hosting agreement.

Bahrain has emerged as a growing force in the sport, led by Olympic and world champion Akhmed Tahzudinov. The 97kg athlete claimed gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics and previously won the world title, as well as multiple Asian and Ranking Series events.

Speaking at the press conference, Lalovic said Bahrain’s focus on developing local wrestlers, inspired by Tahzudinov, was a key factor in awarding the championships to the Gulf nation. “They have the experience and the facilities to stage a world-class event,” he said.

Al Kooheji said the tournament would help expand wrestling at grassroots level. “Tahzudinov’s success has inspired many young people locally,” he said. “Hosting the World Championships will allow us to further develop the sport, including introducing wrestling into schools.”

The championships are expected to attract international spectators from across Asia and beyond, providing a boost to tourism and giving the local community a chance to engage with the sport at the highest level.

Bahrain will also host the Asian Youth Games in October, which will feature wrestling events, giving organisers valuable experience ahead of next year’s Worlds.