IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships begin in Ottawa

The 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships are set to begin in Ottawa, Canada, featuring men’s and women’s tournaments. This marks the first time Canada has hosted both championships simultaneously since 2014. The event includes 15 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams representing 17 countries.

Several athletes from the University of Texas Arlington (UTA) are participating. On the women’s side, Mercy Nyakundi will represent Canada, while Laura Davoli will compete for Australia. Former UTA players are also featured on international rosters, including Zoe Voris, Rose Hollermann, and Josie Aslakson for Team USA, and Grace Wembolua for France.

While Canada seeks to leverage home-court advantage to end a championship drought, the tournament faces a setback as the Iranian men’s team withdrew due to visa issues affecting several team members and coaching staff.