Judo World Championships 2026: Algeria and Italy announce athlete selections

National judo delegations for Algeria and Italy have been announced ahead of the 2026 Judo World Championships, scheduled to take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 4 to 10.

The Algerian Judo Federation (FAJ) has selected a streamlined squad of four athletes, focusing on those with recent continental success. The male representatives include Kaïs Moudathir (-66 kg), Dris Massoud Redouane (-73 kg), and Mohamed El-Mehdi Lili (+100 kg). The female representative is Yasmine Djelab (-63 kg).

Italy has submitted a provisional entry list of 18 athletes. While the squad will miss top competitors such as Olympic champion Alice Bellandi and Manuel Lombardo, it features high-ranking stars including 2025 world champion Assunta Scutto, multi-medalist Odette Giuffrida, and world number one Gennaro Pirelli. The championships serve as a critical event for accumulating ranking points toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic qualification.