From 1 to 14 November, the world's best rifle, pistol and shotgun athletes will gather in Doha, Qatar, for the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun, where world titles, international prestige and the first Olympic quota places for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will all be at stake.
As the culmination of the 2026 international season, the championships promise two weeks of world-class competition featuring Olympic champions, reigning world champions and the next generation of shooting stars.
The first step on the Road to LA28
Beyond the fight for world titles, Doha 2026 carries even greater significance as it marks the official beginning of the Olympic qualification process for Los Angeles 2028.
A total of 36 Olympic quota places will be awarded during the championships, making Doha the single largest qualification opportunity of the entire LA28 cycle. Three quota places will be available in each of the 12 individual Olympic events, giving athletes the chance to secure their nation's place at the Olympic Games almost two years before the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles.
For many competitors, the championships represent the first major milestone on a journey that will continue through World Cups, continental championships and future World Championships over the next two years.
Beyond the fight for world titles, Doha 2026 carries even greater significance as it marks the official beginning of the Olympic qualification process for Los Angeles 2028.
A total of 36 Olympic quota places will be awarded during the championships, making Doha the single largest qualification opportunity of the entire LA28 cycle. Three quota places will be available in each of the 12 individual Olympic events, giving athletes the chance to secure their nation's place at the Olympic Games almost two years before the Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles.
For many competitors, the championships represent the first major milestone on a journey that will continue through World Cups, continental championships and future World Championships over the next two years.
The world's best return to the firing line
Doha is expected to welcome the strongest field of the season, bringing together athletes who have shone throughout an exceptional 2026 campaign.
Fans can look forward to seeing Olympic champions, reigning world champions and World Cup winners from every continent competing across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.
Many of the season's biggest names have already delivered memorable performances during the World Cup circuit. China's Zhang Changhong rewrote the record books with a World Record in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions final in Hangzhou, while Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai established another World Record in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event. Australia's James Willett and Penny Smith also equalled the World Record in Trap Mixed Team to close the Hangzhou World Cup in spectacular fashion.
Whether those athletes can carry their momentum into the World Championships—or whether new stars emerge on the sport's biggest stage—will be one of the defining storylines of Doha 2026.
Doha is expected to welcome the strongest field of the season, bringing together athletes who have shone throughout an exceptional 2026 campaign.
Fans can look forward to seeing Olympic champions, reigning world champions and World Cup winners from every continent competing across rifle, pistol and shotgun disciplines.
Many of the season's biggest names have already delivered memorable performances during the World Cup circuit. China's Zhang Changhong rewrote the record books with a World Record in the Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions final in Hangzhou, while Yao Qianxun and Hu Kai established another World Record in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event. Australia's James Willett and Penny Smith also equalled the World Record in Trap Mixed Team to close the Hangzhou World Cup in spectacular fashion.
Whether those athletes can carry their momentum into the World Championships—or whether new stars emerge on the sport's biggest stage—will be one of the defining storylines of Doha 2026.
Fifteen days of world-class competition
Over two weeks, athletes will compete across the full Olympic shooting programme, with medals awarded in rifle, pistol and shotgun events.
The Olympic programme includes:
- 10m Air Rifle Men and Women
- 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
- 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men and Women
- 10m Air Pistol Men and Women
- 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team
- 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men
- 25m Pistol Women
- Skeet Men and Women
- Trap Men and Women
- Trap Mixed Team
Alongside the Olympic events, the championships will also feature numerous non-Olympic team competitions, giving Member Federations additional opportunities to compete for world titles and showcase the depth of their national programmes.
Over two weeks, athletes will compete across the full Olympic shooting programme, with medals awarded in rifle, pistol and shotgun events.
The Olympic programme includes:
- 10m Air Rifle Men and Women
- 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
- 50m Rifle 3 Positions Men and Women
- 10m Air Pistol Men and Women
- 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team
- 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men
- 25m Pistol Women
- Skeet Men and Women
- Trap Men and Women
- Trap Mixed Team
Alongside the Olympic events, the championships will also feature numerous non-Olympic team competitions, giving Member Federations additional opportunities to compete for world titles and showcase the depth of their national programmes.
A proven host on the world stage
Doha has become one of the ISSF's most trusted hosts, regularly delivering international competitions to the highest standard.
The Qatar Shooting & Archery Association has built a strong reputation for exceptional organisation, modern facilities and athlete-focused services, having successfully staged multiple ISSF World Cups and World Cup Finals over the past decade.
Preparations for the World Championships have been underway for months, with the ISSF and Local Organising Committee working closely together on venue operations, logistics, accommodation, transportation, media services and athlete experience to ensure another world-class event.
Doha has become one of the ISSF's most trusted hosts, regularly delivering international competitions to the highest standard.
The Qatar Shooting & Archery Association has built a strong reputation for exceptional organisation, modern facilities and athlete-focused services, having successfully staged multiple ISSF World Cups and World Cup Finals over the past decade.
Preparations for the World Championships have been underway for months, with the ISSF and Local Organising Committee working closely together on venue operations, logistics, accommodation, transportation, media services and athlete experience to ensure another world-class event.
More than medals
The ISSF World Championship is about far more than sporting results.
The championships bring together athletes, coaches, officials, judges, media representatives, partners and Member Federations from around the globe, making the event one of the largest gatherings of the international shooting sport community.
Throughout the fortnight, educational activities, technical meetings and governance events will take place alongside competition, reinforcing the ISSF's commitment to developing the sport both on and off the field of play.
The ISSF World Championship is about far more than sporting results.
The championships bring together athletes, coaches, officials, judges, media representatives, partners and Member Federations from around the globe, making the event one of the largest gatherings of the international shooting sport community.
Throughout the fortnight, educational activities, technical meetings and governance events will take place alongside competition, reinforcing the ISSF's commitment to developing the sport both on and off the field of play.
Attention now turns to the final months of the year, where the ISSF World Championship in Doha will offer athletes the opportunity to compete for world titles and the first Olympic quota places for Los Angeles 2028. If the season so far is any indication, the battles for the podium are only just beginning.