2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships where the United States has denied entry visas to at least 14 Ethiopian athletes, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape and raising broader concerns about international sport and travel policy:

U.S. Denies Entry to 14 Ethiopian Athletes Ahead of World XC Championships

Just days before the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, scheduled to take place on January 10 in Tallahassee, Florida, a major controversy has erupted: the United States has denied entry visas to a significant portion of the Ethiopian team, threatening one of the longest and most remarkable competitive streaks in athletics history. (Canadian Running Magazine)

According to reports from multiple athletics media outlets, including Canadian Running Magazine and LetsRun.com, only a small fraction of the Ethiopian under-20 (U20) runners received U.S. visa approval.

Out of 18 U20 athletes originally entered, only 4 were approved, meaning 14 athletes were rejected during the visa application process at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Canadian Running Magazine)

The Ethiopian Athletics Federation confirmed that a total of 34 visa requests submitted in December were largely refused  with 23 rejections on the first round and a second submission weeks later yielding similar results.

Officials said they provided all required documentation, including an invitation from World Athletics, support from the local organising committee, and a letter from Ethiopia’s foreign ministry, yet no official reasons were given for the denials. (A Mile. A Minute.)

Impact on Ethiopia’s Competitive Chances

The visa denials have crippled Ethiopia’s ability to field complete U20 teams which has historic significance.

To score a team result in cross country events, nations must field at least four runners.

With only one U20 male athlete (Ayele Sewnet) and three U20 women cleared, Ethiopia cannot qualify for team scoring in either junior category. (Canadian Running Magazine)

This is monumental: Ethiopia has medaled at every World Cross Country Championships it has contested for decades.

The men’s U20 team previously won medals at every edition since 1982, a staggering 44-year streak, and the women’s U20 side has also been exceptionally successful in recent championships.

That run now hangs in the balance or has likely ended  because of the visa failures. (A Mile. A Minute.)

Senior runners and the mixed relay were also affected: four senior athletes and two relay team members had their visas rejected, although Ethiopia was able to substitute some senior runners based on existing visas or athletes already based in the U.S. That workaround allows full senior teams and the mixed relay to compete, but the absence of key junior athletes remains a significant blow. (Canadian Running Magazine)

The U20 women’s squad, for instance, includes star runners such as Marta Alemayo, the 2024 women’s U20 world cross country champion  but even her participation could be compromised by wider team disqualification issues. (A Mile. A Minute.)

Organisers and Governing Body Reaction

World Athletics has acknowledged the situation, with president Sebastian Coe reportedly working with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee to resolve the issue; however, those efforts appear not to have prevented the bulk of the denials.

Ethiopia’s federation began submitting applications on December 12, but the tight timeline  roughly one month before the championships  may have contributed to the logistical problem. (A Mile. A Minute.)

World Athletics emphasised the importance of having all member nations compete, especially traditionally strong teams like Ethiopia, whose presence helps maintain the competitive integrity and global legitimacy of the world championships.

The federation’s preview noted that, without a full contingent of Ethiopian runners, the global representation of the sport is lessened. (https://www.wctv.tv)

Broader Context: Visas and Global Sport

This isn’t an isolated incident in global athletics; visa issues have long plagued international competition, particularly when the host country imposes stringent entry requirements.

In some cases, athletes from certain nations have faced lengthy waits or outright rejections due to security policies, diplomatic tensions, or administrative processing delays. (Athletics Weekly)

While Ethiopia is not on the U.S. travel ban list, recent changes to visa vetting procedures  including expanded data requirements and security checks introduced under the U.S. administration  may have played an indirect role in the mass denials.

The U.S. government has doubled down on security protocols across multiple visa categories, though specific reasoning for individual athletic rejections was not publicly released. (LBC)

Critics argue that the lack of transparent or timely communication from immigration authorities undermines the spirit of global sporting events  particularly when athletes prepare for years to compete on the world stage.

Supporters of stricter vetting, however, maintain that host nations have the sovereign right to enforce their immigration laws and protect national security.

The tension between sport and policy remains unresolved. (LBC)

What Happens Next?

With the championships just days away, Ethiopia’s U20 teams will compete only as individual athletes where possible, but team medals a central goal for the federation  are now out of reach.

This development not only affects Ethiopia’s medal count but also alters the competitive dynamics of the junior races, potentially opening up opportunities for other nations to medal. (worldathletics.org)

World Athletics, event organisers, and national federations will likely take lessons from this situation, potentially reviewing visa support procedures and timelines for future championships  including major events like the U20 World Championships later in 2026 and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

What remains to be seen is whether these visa hurdles will prompt reforms to ensure athletes can travel for competition without undue barriers. (vnexpress.net)