Saudi Arabia to Send 144 Athletes to 2026 Asian Games

Saudi Arabia will field a 144-athlete delegation across 19 sports at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, scheduled to run from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with young competitors forming nearly half of the squad.

The delegation is made up of 19 national teams competing in athletics, 5x5 basketball, boxing, equestrian, esports, fencing, football, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, mixed martial arts, padel, shooting, squash, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. Selection was based on performance criteria, prioritising athletes ranked in the top eight in Asia for individual sports and the top four for team sports.

A young delegation

Youth is a defining feature of the squad. Athletes born between 2001 and 2005 make up 38 percent of the group, while those born between 2006 and 2010 account for a further 24 percent, bringing the total under-23 share to 48 percent of the 144 athletes.

In parallel, a 44-athlete delegation will represent Saudi Arabia at the Asian Para Games in October 2026, competing in eight sports: athletics, boccia, cycling, table tennis, swimming, taekwondo, badminton and powerlifting.

Both delegations are part of a longer-term strategy to develop a sustainable generation of elite Saudi athletes ahead of the Kingdom hosting the Riyadh 2034 Asian Games. For the local community, the emphasis on younger talent signals growing opportunities and a broadening sports culture across the country in the years ahead.

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