In total, there are five qualification groups through which athletes can earn their place at the FIS Freeride World Championships Andorra 2026 by Mammut. These groups define the different qualification pathway, ensuring a fair and globally representative field of riders.
Group 1 – FWT Pro Ranking
The top-ranked riders from the 2025 FIS Freeride World Tour Pro standings earned direct qualification for the World Championships. All Group 1 athletes meet the official FIS eligibility criteria and were invited by FIS following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Should any athlete be unable to participate, their National Ski Association (NSA) is responsible for selecting a replacement within the same competition category.
Group 2 – Continental Quotas
To ensure global representation, five continental quotas (Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America) were added to the start list. Each quota was awarded to the highest-ranked rider on the Qualifying Global Seeding List, excluding injured athletes with frozen points. All Group 2 athletes were personally allocated by FIS, in communication with their respective NSAs, which also oversee potential replacements if necessary.
Group 3 – NSA Quotas
14 riders have earned their place via National Ski Association (NSA) quotas, granted to countries that do not already have qualified athletes (or only one in Ski Men) from Groups 1 and 2. These quotas were distributed based on a Nations Ranking, calculated using international results from the top 100 athletes in each discipline.
Each eligible NSA was invited to nominate one rider, who must meet FIS Freeride eligibility criteria. This system ensures increased global representation while maintaining the competition’s elite standards.
Group 4 – Wildcards
Alongside the NSA Quota Riders, four wildcard athletes (one per discipline) have been awarded a place at the 2026 FIS Freeride World Championships. These Group 4 Wildcards are allocated directly by FIS Freeride to address needs such as injuries, media visibility, or national interest.
All wildcard athletes must be members of a National Ski Association, and in the event of a withdrawal, FIS Freeride will designate a replacement, potentially from another nation.
Group 5 – Host Nation Wildcard
The final and 66th rider spot comes through the Host Nation Wildcard, allocated by the Andorran Ski Federation (FAE). This final selection ensures representation for the host country and officially completes the lineup.
Roster overview
A total of 66 athletes from around the world will compete in the four official categories: Ski Men, Ski Women, Snowboard Men and Snowboard Women. They represent the world’s best freeriders and will proudly compete under their national flags. The full qualification system will be explained in the next part.
Qualified Riders: