World Relays: World Athletics Releases Heat Lists, Nigeria Draw Tough Groups

World Relays: World Athletics Releases Heat Lists, Nigeria Draw Tough Groups

Sampson Adedeji

World Athletics has officially released the heat lists for the 2026 World Relays scheduled to take place in Gaborone, Botswana this weekend, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Nigeria has been drawn in difficult groups across multiple relay events as the country aims to secure qualification for the 2027 World Championships.

In the men’s 4x100m event, Team Nigeria will compete in Heat 3 alongside India, Poland, Brazil, China, South Africa, Ghana, and Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

The women’s 4x400m team was placed in Heat 1 where they will battle Brazil, Germany, Spain, France, Jamaica, and the Czech Republic.

For the mixed 4x100m relay, Nigeria will face Portugal, Ukraine, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany in what is expected to be another highly competitive race.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s mixed 4x400m relay team will compete in Heat 2 against China, Poland, the Netherlands, Japan, Jamaica, and Canada.

According to the competition format, the top two teams in each heat, alongside the next two fastest teams overall, will qualify for the final and also secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships.