World Aquatics Open Water World Cup Cancún 2026, Digi Mart USA News (Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico): The Open Water World Cup will be held in Cancún, Quintana Roo, on November 6 and 7, 2026, according to the Mexican National Sports Commission (CONADE). The event marks Mexico’s return to the international elite circuit after nearly 11 years.
The competition, sanctioned by World Aquatics, opens the 2026-2027 season and brings together 119 athletes from 27 countries, including 65 men and 54 women. The program features two events: the 10-kilometer race and the 3-kilometer knockout sprint, a round-based elimination format that emphasizes speed and recovery.
The event is part of preparation for the 2027 World Championships, which will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from July 3 to 8. The circuit has five stops in Mexico, Egypt, Italy and Portugal.
The event is organized by CONADE, the Mexican Olympic Committee, the Mexican Aquatic Sports Federation and the Mexican Open Water and Swimming Sports Association, with support from the Government of Quintana Roo.
Mexico’s delegation consists of 24 athletes: 13 men and 11 women. Paulo Strehlke, who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will lead the Group A swimmers and compete in both events.
He is joined in Group A by Dalia Moreno, Fernando Betanzos, Yuritzi Salgado, Diego Obele, Paulina Alanís, Roberto Valdés, Maximiliano Cuevas, Citlalli Mora, Ximena Pérez and Marco Meléndez.
Group B includes Marisela Escobar, Emiliano Almanza, Juan Pablo García, Regina Cuevas, Luis Corona, Camila Nieves, Alessio Ducourtil, Ramses Miranda, Dana Michelle Toledo, Jonathan Miguel, Katherine Mercado, Santiago Martínez and Sharon Rubio de la Rosa. Confirmed participating countries include Germany, Australia, Ecuador, the United States, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland and Mexico.
