The Novuna Great Britain & Northern Ireland team (GB & NI) head to the World Relays 2026 with a squad featuring Olympic medallists, emerging talent and the next wave of relay specialists, as qualification spots for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing are on the line in Botswana this weekend.

At stake in Botswana is direct qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships. In both the men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m events, 12 teams will secure places through a combination of heat finishes across two days of competition.

Seven athletes will make their senior international debut, underlining UK Athletics’ commitment to developing future relay success. More than 13 selected athletes are either part of the UKA Futures programme or recent graduates, highlighting a strong pathway from junior success to senior championship teams.

The men’s 4x100m relay is led by British record holder Zharnel Hughes, joined by Jeremiah Azu, the reigning 2025 European and World indoor 60m champion, who will make his first appearance at a World Relays. Ethan Wilsthire, the 2022 European Under-20 champion, will be looking to make his senior international debut.

In the women’s 4×1 relay team, Imani Lansiquot returns from injury, having re-established herself training in Italy. The Paris Olympic relay medallist adds experience to a squad.

Success Eduan and Nia Wedderburn-Goodison also return after making their senior debuts at last year’s World Relays event in China, where they claimed relay gold. A highlight of Eduan’s stunning back-straight charge, helping the GB & NI team claim the title.

The men’s 4x400m squad features no shortage of experience, with Charlie Dobson, Lewis Davey, Alex Haydock-Wilson and Toby Harries all Paris Olympic relay medallists.

Jack Minshull earns his first senior international vest, bringing versatility as a 400m hurdler by trade.

Lina and Laviai Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin and Yemi Mary John, all Olympic relay medallists, will once again line up for the Novuna GB & NI team. Charlotte Henrich makes her senior debut after a standout 2025 season that included European Under-20 gold over 400m. One to watch is 400m hurdler Emily Newnham, who claimed Under-23 European gold last summer.

Unfortunately, two injuries to the team have been sustained, Harry Bradley (men’s 4x400m) has been ruled out, and Teddy Wilson (men’s 4x100m) has also withdrawn.

The mixed 4x100m is the newest discipline on the World Relays programme. The top six teams will qualify for the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September, while 12 teams will earn spots for 2027 World Champs. The GB & NI team will aim to build on last year’s World Relays bronze-medal performance.

Experienced relay runner Desiree Henry and Jona Efoloko will be going in the mixed 4x100m team, joined by last year’s bronze medallists Jeriel Quainoo. Having been part of the U23 European gold-medal-winning relay team Kissiwaa Mensah and Alyson Bell reunite on the World Relays stage in Gaborone.

Watch live on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app

Saturday 2nd May (1255-1555 BST)  BBC iPlayer:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/l00586zc

Sunday 3rd May (1250-1555 BST)  BBC iPlayer:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/l00586zm

The Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2026 World Athletics Relays, Gaborone, Botswana (2-3 May):

4x100m

Women

Mabel Akande (Lincoln Wellington, Denise Timmins)

Alyson Bell (Glasgow Jaguars, Anne Scott)

Success Eduan (Sale Harriers Manchester, Anita Richardson)

Desiree Henry (Enfield & Haringey, Steve Fudge)

Imani Lansiquot (Marco Airale)

Kissiwaa Mensah (Chelmsford, Prince Duwai)

Renee Regis (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers, Darren Braithwaite)

Aleeya Sibbons (Newham & Essex Beagles, Colin Bovell)

Jasmine Wilkins (Thames Valley Harriers, Andy Paul)

Nia Wedderburn-Goodison (Harrow)

Men

Jeremiah Azu (Cardiff, Helen James)

Jona Efoloko (Sale Harriers Manchester, Clarrence Callendar)

Romell Glave (Croydon Harriers, Michael Afilaka)

Zharnel Hughes (Shaftesbury Barnet, Glen Mills)

Elliot Jones (Leon Baptiste)

Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Newham and Essex Beagles, Michael Afilaka)

Jeriel Quainoo (Blackheath and Bromley, Lindford Christie)

Jody Smith (Thames Valley, Alex Currie)

Teddy Wilson (Shaftesbury Barnet, Marvin Rowe)

Ethan Wiltshire (Newham & Essex Beagles, Leon Baptiste)

4x400m

Women

Charlotte Henrich (Invicta East Kent, Nigel Stickings)

Yemi Mary John (Woodford Green Essex Ladies, Alan James)

Poppy Malik (Harrow, Nick Dakin)

Emily Newnham (Shaftesbury Barnet, Nick Dakin)

Laviai Nielsen (Enfield & Harringey)

Lina Nielsen (Shaftesbury Barnet, Jack Green)

Louisa Stoney (Belgrave Harriers, Marvin Rowe)

Nicole Yeargin (Pitreavie, Gregory Sholars)

Men

Harry Bradley (Alex Currie)

Lewis Davey (Newham & Essex Beagles, Trevor Painter)

Seamus Derbyshire (City of Stoke, Alex O’Gorman)

Charlie Dobson (Colchester, Leon Baptiste)

Josh Faulds (Rugby & Northampton AC, James Wright)

Alex Haydock-Wilson (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow, Dai Greene)

Toby Harries (Brighton Phoenix, David Sadkin)

Jake Minshull (Coventry, James Wright)

Lee Thompson (Sheffield & Dearne, John Henson)