Great Britain Finish Fourth at Wheelchair Rugby World Championships
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Great Britain produced a series of impressive performances at the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships in São Paulo, Brazil, securing a fourth-place finish against the world’s best teams.
Competing against the top 12 nations in wheelchair rugby, GB reached the semi-finals and finished among the top four teams in the world. It was another significant milestone for the programme and a demonstration of the strength of wheelchair rugby across Great Britain.
The Championships brought together the sport’s leading nations for eight days of elite competition, providing a major test for every team involved. For Great Britain, it was an opportunity to measure progress against the world’s best while continuing to build towards future international success.
Strong Form in the Pool Stages
Great Britain made an excellent start to the tournament, winning four of their five pool matches.
Victories over Denmark, Colombia, Germany and France secured second place in Pool B and a place in the knockout rounds. The team’s only defeat came against Paralympic champions Japan, who would go on to claim the bronze medal.
Across the group stage, GB showed the qualities that have become synonymous with the programme: disciplined defence, quick ball movement and the ability to perform under pressure when matches were on the line.
Quarter-Final Success
One of the standout moments of the tournament came in the quarter-finals.
Facing a strong Canadian side, Great Britain delivered a composed performance to secure a dramatic 54-51 victory and a place in the semi-finals. The win guaranteed a top-four finish and ensured GB would once again be competing for medals on the international stage.
The result was a reflection of the hard work invested by athletes, coaches and support staff throughout the Paralympic cycle, as well as the strength of the domestic competition pathway that continues to develop players across Great Britain.
Taking on the World’s Best
The final stages of the competition saw Great Britain face two of the strongest nations in wheelchair rugby.
Australia narrowly edged the semi-final, while Japan secured the bronze medal in the third-place play-off.
While the tournament ended just short of the podium, finishing fourth at a World Championship remains a significant achievement. The performances in São Paulo demonstrated that Great Britain can continue to compete with the leading nations in the sport and provided valuable experience for the athletes on one of wheelchair rugby’s biggest stages.
The Great Britain Squad
The players selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships were:
Stuart Robinson MBE
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 3.5
GB Caps: 138
A Paralympic champion, proven leader and one of the most experienced athletes in the programme, Stuart continues to set standards every time he takes to the court.
With almost a decade at the highest level, his drive to improve and commitment to the team remain as strong as ever.
Tyler Walker
Club: Cheltenham Tigers WRC
Classification: 3.5
GB Caps: 34
Oliver Wightman
Club: West Coast WRC / Penrith
Classification: 3.5
GB Caps: 12
Faye West
Club: Leicester Tigers WRC
Classification: 3.5
GB Caps: 46
Hannah Bucys
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 3.0
GB Caps: 16
Josh Williams
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 2.5
GB Caps: 11
Kieran Flynn
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 2.0
GB Caps: 91
Gavin Walker MBE
Club: Leicester Tigers WRC
Classification: 2.0
GB Caps: 221
Harri Jenkins
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 1.5
GB Caps: 23
Muhammad Islam
Club: West Coast WRC
Classification: 0.5
GB Caps: 79
Jonathan Coggan MBE
Club: London WRC
Classification: 0.5
GB Caps: 295
Jack Smith MBE
Club: North East Bulls WRC
Classification: 0.5
GB Caps: 100
Together, the squad represented clubs from across the country and showcased the dedication, determination and teamwork required to perform at the highest level of international wheelchair rugby.
Inspiring the Next Generation
International events like the World Championships are about more than results.
Every athlete representing Great Britain started their journey at a local club, learning the game, building confidence and developing their skills alongside teammates and volunteers who helped them progress.
The performances in Brazil highlight the opportunities available within wheelchair rugby, from grassroots participation through to representing Great Britain on the world stage.
As the squad returns home, the focus now shifts to continuing the development of the programme, supporting the next generation of athletes and building towards future major championships.
Ready to Get Involved?
Whether you’re looking to play, volunteer, officiate or support a local club, there are opportunities across the UK to become part of the wheelchair rugby community.
Find your nearest club and start your wheelchair rugby journey today: https://gbwr.org.uk/find-a-club/
Forward Together.
