This approach is designed to ensure that the World Championships continue to bring together the world’s leading athletes across all disciplines, recognizing exceptional individual performance and consistent high-level competition throughout the qualification period.
The entry criteria – and the target number of athletes in each discipline – were determined after detailed analysis of recent performance trends across sport, including the increasing depth of results in many disciplines and the impact of advances in technology and preparation. The criteria also reflects the expanded role of world rankings as a pathway to qualification, with most athletes expected to become eligible for selection through rankings rather than achieving a single entry criterion. The world rankings now place more weight on score points and less on ranking points, so that athletes with limited access to high-level competitions.
Under the approved system, athletes in individual events will be able to qualify in four ways: by achieving the entry criterion during the qualification period; By virtue of final position in designated competitions; Through the wild card. Or according to the global ranking position at the end of the relevant ranking period.
The qualifying period for the marathon runs from 3 November 2025 to midnight on 2 May 2027. For the 10,000m race walk, combined events and relays, the period runs from 23 February 2026 to midnight on 22 August 2027. For all other disciplines, entry criteria can be met from 23 August 2026 to midnight on 22 August 2027.
For the purposes of the entry criterion, performance must have been achieved primarily in Category C competitions and above, to ensure that the mark is set at a meeting where the minimum competition criteria have been met. Performances achieved in lower category competitions will remain valid for the world rankings. Due to the limited availability of Class C and the higher 5,000m and 10,000m track meets, road running performances in the elite road races – Class E – over 5km and 10km will also be recognized for standard entry purposes. Marathon marks can also be achieved in road races.
Regional champions in individual events, excluding marathons, will be considered to have met the qualifying criteria for the World Championships provided that there is no other qualified athlete from the same region in the same event. The top five winners of Platinum Label Marathons held during the qualifying period and winners of Gold Label Marathons held in 2027 through May 2 will also be considered to have met the qualification requirements.
Wild cards will be available to the defending world champions from 2025, the winners of the 2026 IAAF World Championships, the winners of the 2026 World Race Walking Tour and the combined World Eventing Tour, the 2026 Continental Tour top hammer performers, and the 2027 Wanda Diamond League winners. If a member association has four athletes in one event as a result of this criterion, all four will be allowed By competition. If a Member Association has more than one athlete eligible for each event via a wildcard, the Member Association will need to select one of those athletes to accept a place.
The top 12 teams in each discipline at World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 have already qualified for WCH Beijing 27. The remaining four places in each relay discipline will be allocated to the best-ranked teams at the end of the qualification period, based on the top rosters.
The IAAF will publish a “Road to Beijing 27” tool that is updated regularly throughout the qualifying period, providing athletes, member federations, media and fans with a real-time view of the qualifying status in each discipline.
World Athletics
