ITKF Global Evaluates Bids from Egypt, Poland, and Romania to Host the 2026 World Championship

Three nations have emerged as strong contenders to host the 23rd ITKF Global World Championship — an event expected to bring together over 1,000 athletes from 50 countries and reaffirm the legacy of Hidetaka Nishiyama.

By Paulo Pinto / Global Sports
Curitiba, October 23, 2025

In 2026, the 23rd ITKF Global World Championship is expected to be held in one of three candidate nations: Egypt, Poland, or Romania. According to ITKF Chairman Professor Dr. Gilberto Gaertner, the bidding process has been marked by ethics and mutual respect, fully reflecting the spirit of cooperation that guides Traditional Karate.

Technical Visits and World-Class Infrastructure

ITKF leaders have already conducted technical visits to all three countries, assessing key aspects such as sports venues, hotel networks, transportation, and logistics. The candidate cities — Cairo (Egypt), Krakow (Poland), and Brăila (Romania) — all presented excellent conditions to host the event.

Technical visit to Cairo’s grand multi-sport complex, one of the main venues evaluated for the 2026 World Championship © ITKF Global

During the inspections, officials visited the Cairo International Stadium, Tauron Arena Krakow, and the Danubius Gym in Brăila. According to ITKF leadership, all proposals demonstrated full capacity to host the championship at a high level, confirming that the competition could successfully take place in any of the three nations without compromising technical or organizational quality.

Gilberto Gaertner, Pawel Janusz and ITKF officials in front of Tauron Arena Krakow — a landmark of Poland’s bid to host the 2026 Worlds © ITKF Global

Next Steps

The final phase of the selection process has now begun, as each candidate nation submits its detailed project proposal. The official host of the 2026 World Championship is expected to be announced in November, following a thorough evaluation by ITKF Global.

ITKF Chairman Gilberto Gaertner and iconic eight-time world champion Cornel Musat during a visit to Danubius Arena in Brăila — part of Romania’s technical evaluation for the 2026 bid © ITKF Global

Choosing the host nation involves more than selecting modern arenas or adequate accommodations — it also requires a long-term institutional commitment to ensure safety, excellence, and international visibility for Traditional Karate.

Ramy El Mekawy, Gilberto Gaertner and ETKF leaders inspect the Sports City Arena in Cairo — one of the venues under evaluation for the 2026 World Championship © ITKF Global

ITKF Global is therefore assessing each proposal from a strategic standpoint, aware that the 2026 World Championship will be more than just a tournament. It will be the continuation of a legacy founded by Shihan Hidetaka Nishiyama and carried forward by new generations who preserve tradition while shaping the future of the discipline.

Professor Gaertner emphasized that all proposals must thoroughly outline the scope of institutional support planned for the event. He stressed that this factor is crucial to ensuring the championship’s feasibility and success.

“To safeguard the interests and well-being of our members, we need each bid to clearly define the contributions from both public and private sectors,” stated the ITKF Chairman. “This level of commitment is vital for making a responsible and equitable decision that upholds the sustainability of our actions. Transparency in support mechanisms guarantees fair access and continuity for our programs.”

Gilberto Gaertner highlights the importance of equitable and transparent decision-making among candidate nations © ITKF Global

A Consolidated Biennial Competition

The last three editions of the ITKF’s premier world event took place in Portugal (2024), Slovenia (2022), and Brazil (2019), reinforcing its biennial rhythm and the geographical rotation that broadens the sport’s reach.

Professors Gilberto Gaertner, Justo Gómez and Pawel Janusz during the technical inspection at Tauron Arena Krakow — a decisive stage in Poland’s evaluation © ITKF Global

In 2024, in Vila do Conde (Portugal), Egypt claimed the overall title, with Brazil as runner-up and Poland in third place, followed by Romania and Portugal. In 2022, in Slovenia, Brazil took the championship, Egypt finished second, and Romania earned third, ahead of Italy and Poland.

Exterior view of Danubius Arena in Brăila — a venue symbolizing Romania’s advancement as a candidate to host the 2026 World Championship © ITKF Global

This recent alternation at the top of the podium — with Egypt and Brazil trading championships while European nations consistently remain among the leaders — highlights the high technical level, competitive balance, and mature distribution of results among nations now vying to host the next Worlds. It also reflects the progress of training programs, investment in certified refereeing, and the strengthening of key Traditional Karate disciplines (kata, kumite, and enbu), all of which have elevated the event’s standards and prestige.

Pawel Janusz, Gilberto Gaertner and Justo Gómez with members of the Polish Traditional Karate Federation board at Tauron Arena Krakow © ITKF Global

Three Strong Bids

Egypt’s candidacy builds on its recent record of competitive success and the symbolic strength of Cairo as a cultural hub of the Middle East. Poland relies on its tradition of hosting major championships and the modern facilities of Tauron Arena Krakow, while Romania, with its Brăila project, stands out for its strong organizational capacity, robust governmental and community support, and consistent presence in past world events.

Legacy and Tradition

The race to host the 2026 World Championship demonstrates the maturity and commitment of all three nations. Egypt, Poland, and Romania not only showcased modern venues and solid infrastructure but also expressed a genuine desire to welcome over 1,000 karateka from 50 countries who will take part in the XXIII ITKF Global World Championship.

Interior of Danubius Arena in Brăila — one of the facilities assessed in Romania’s bid to host the 2026 World Championship © ITKF Global

For more than half a century, ITKF has remained faithful to the vision of its founder, Shihan Hidetaka Nishiyama, who regarded Traditional Karate as a path of discipline, respect, and human development. The biennial World Championship embodies that vision — a meeting ground where generations of athletes share the same values, transcending borders and cultural differences.

Regardless of the final decision, this selection process already stands as an example of transparency and mutual respect among the candidate nations. The upcoming World Championship will reaffirm that the tradition started by Nishiyama remains alive, strong, and inspiring — a living testament to a legacy built on ethics, cooperation, and the constant pursuit of excellence.