Originally Four Athletes From U20 Selection Race In Portland, Plus One Athlete From Nike Cross Nationals And Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, Would Make Up Six Member Team; New Procedure Selects Fives Athletes From Selection Race, Plus One Eligible Athlete From NXN

By Keenan Gray of DyeStat

Micah Thornton photo

Last week, USATF announced it has updated its U20 team selection procedures for the 2026 World Athletics Cross Country Championships, taking place Jan. 10, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla.

For each gender, the original selection procedure to make up the six-person team was four athletes from the U20 selection race in Portland on Dec. 6, plus one athlete from Nike Cross Nationals and Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.

Since the announcement of Foot Locker Cross Country Championships no longer happening, the selection procedure has now shifted to five athletes from the U20 selection race in Portland plus one eligible athlete among the top three finishers from NXN.

If no eligible athletes among the top three finishers at NXN accepts an invitation to join the world U20 team, the sixth and final spot will revert back to the next eligible top-15 finishers in the U20 selection race.

If needed, USATF will use a descending order list of the last 12 months times using the 2024 World Athletics U20 Outdoor Championships qualifying standards.

Per USATF procedures, no other cross country events around the country.

Full team selection procedures are here.