Abu Dhabi, July 29, 2026: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team, sponsored by Mubadala Investment Company, will field 114 athletes at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship and the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Cup U14 which Abu Dhabi will host at Mubadala Arena from August 1 to 9, as the team bids to win a historic seventh consecutive world title.
The UAE squad includes 21 athletes in the Under-14 category, 28 in Under-16, 23 in Under-18, 20 in Under-21 and 22 in the Adults category. The strong representation reflects the success of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation’s long-term strategy to build a strong athlete development pathway and nurture talent across every age group.
The national team heads into the championship after six years of dominance on the world stage. At the 2025 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, the UAE topped the overall standings after winning 10 medals, including six gold, two silver and two bronze, to secure its sixth consecutive world title.
Over nine days, the championship will bring together the world’s leading jiu-jitsu athletes across the Under-16, Under-18, Under-21, Adults and Masters categories. The 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Cup U14 will mark the beginning of the event on August 1, giving the sport’s next generation of athletes the opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the world’s biggest stages.
The UAE squad combines reigning world champions, experienced athletes and some of the country’s most promising young talent. Preparations have now entered their final phase, with the coaching staff focusing on refining technical skills, raising physical readiness and strengthening tactical preparation ahead of one of the championship’s strongest and most competitive editions.
H.E. Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship, said: “Hosting the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship once again highlights Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s leading destinations for the sport. This is the result of the vision of our wise leadership, the UAE’s long-term commitment to developing jiu-jitsu, and continued investment in athletes, infrastructure and major international events.
‘The participation of 114 athletes reflects the depth of our talent pool and the strength of the pathway we have built across all age categories. It is the result of years of investment in identifying and developing talent, while giving athletes opportunities to compete at the highest level throughout their journey.
‘Winning six consecutive world titles is a source of great pride for everyone involved in UAE jiu-jitsu, but every championship presents a new challenge. Our national team enters this edition with the same determination, discipline and ambition that have driven its previous success. We are confident our athletes will deliver impressive performances supported by the advantage of competing at home in front of their families and supporters.”
The UAE national team heads into the World Championship full of confidence after winning 55 medals at the recent Asian Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, across the Under-16, Under-18, Under-21 and Adults categories. The team claimed 20 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze medals, while also successfully defending the Adults title.
Alan Nascimento, coach of the UAE National Team, said: ‘The Asian Championships gave us valuable insights into the readiness of every athlete ahead of the World Championship. Since returning, we have focused on the smallest technical details, improving decision-making under pressure and ensuring every member of the team reaches the competition in the best possible condition.
‘Preparing athletes across five main categories requires programmes tailored to the technical and physical demands of each division. The World Championship always brings together the strongest competitors, so we have designed our preparations to ensure every athlete is ready to perform at their best when the competition begins.’
Mahdi Al-Awlaqi, who will compete in the Adults 77kg division, said: ‘Representing the UAE at the World Championship is a great honour, and competing in Abu Dhabi in front of our families and supporters makes it even more special. Their support gives us extra motivation to perform at our best.
‘We know our previous achievements do not guarantee success. Every championship is a new challenge, and every contest demands complete effort and focus. We have prepared well, we trust the work we have done, and our goal is to retain the world title and raise the UAE flag high.’
The 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship is held under the umbrella of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF) and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as the global capital of jiu-jitsu and one of the world’s leading destinations for major international championships.