Road to Finland 2026: Drawing Ceremony on 26 October at 17.00 CET

The journey to the 2026 IPCH World Championship is about to get even more exciting!

While the world’s best will gather in Finland from 24 May to 1 June 2026 for the ultimate showdown, fans and teams won’t have to wait that long to feel the buzz: the official Drawing Ceremony will take place on 26 October in De Rijp ( the Netherlands) during the IPCH Scout Mobility Dutch Nation’s Cup.

At the end of the tournament, a special moment will be dedicated to one of the most awaited milestones: the group draw. On stage will be representatives of the Finnish Organising Committee, IPCH Chairperson Fabio Rodo, and World Ability Sport Athletes’ Representative Gavin Drysdale, who will conduct the draw under the supervision of the IPCH Technical Delegates.

As per regulations, the seeding has already been decided: Denmark, reigning World Champion and winner of the 2022 World Championship, will be the top seed of Group A. The Netherlands, silver medalist and runner-up at the 2022 World Championship, will lead Group B.

The remaining nations—Belgium, Canada, Australia, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and the host country Finland—will be drawn one by one, alternating between the two groups, until both Groups A and B are complete with five teams each.

The 2026 World Championship will once again feature 10 national teams, and the tension is already rising: who will face who in the group stage? Which clashes will we get to enjoy right from the start? The answers will come in October, and the excitement is palpable.

The Dutch Nation’s Cup was chosen as the stage for this ceremony not by chance: with many international athletes already competing there, it’s the perfect opportunity to share this special moment with the same stars who will shine again in Finland. It’s also a great way to give maximum visibility to the road leading to the World Championship.

A big thank you goes to the Scout Mobility Dutch Nation’s Cup Organising Committee and the Orange and Wheels Foundation, with the support of NEFUB and the NPC of the Netherlands, for making this possible. We also extend our gratitude to the Finnish Local Organising Committee and the NPC of Finland for their vision and availability in opening up this key milestone to another nation, giving fans around the world a unique preview of what’s coming.

The Drawing Ceremony will take place on 26 October, after the conclusion of the IPCH Scout Mobility Dutch Nation’s Cup, and will be live streamed on the official IPCH YouTube channel. The stage is set, the anticipation is building—we can’t wait to witness the draw, discover the groups, and start the countdown to Finland 2026!