Just days remain until the start of the 2026 World’s Strongest Man, which is set to take place on April 23-26 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The first two days are reserved for the qualifying stage, where 25 athletes attempt to secure their place among the top ten world’s strongest men. Organizers turned to Instagram and revealed all five groups.
The roster is divided into five equal groups, with each group consisting of five athletes. The top two athletes from each group at the end of the second day qualify for the finals, while the others end their performance at the 2026 WSM. The third and fourth days will be the finals, featuring ten athletes who will battle for the most coveted title in Strongman.
2026 World’s Strongest Man Groups
Group One
- Ben Glasscock (GBR)
- Nick Guardione (USA)
- Rayno Nel (RSA)
- Tristain Hoath (CAN)
- Luke Richardson (GBR)
Group Two
- Austin Andrade (MEX)
- Mathew Ragg (NZL)
- Jaco Schoonwinkel (RSA)
- Tom Stoltman (GBR)
- Levi Strong (USA)
Group Three
- Matyáš Funiok (CZE)
- Lucas Hatton (USA)
- Paddy Haynes (GBR)
- Mitchell Hooper (CAN)
- Eddie Williams (AUS)
Group Four
- Adam Bishop (GBR)
- Ondrej Fojtu (CZE)
- James Jeffers (CAN)
- Bryce Johnson (USA)
- Martins Licis (LVA)
Group Five
- Andrew Flynn (GBR)
- Pavlo Kordiyaka (UKR)
- Trey Mitchell (USA)
- Evans Nana (GHA)
- Evan Singleton (USA)
Related: Luke Stoltman Withdraws From 2026 World’s and Europe’s Strongest Man After Breaking His Leg
Groups Overview
The defending WSM champion, Rayno Nel, is definitely the biggest favorite to top the leaderboards in group one. He will go up against some incredible athletes, most notably Luke Richardson. However, Richardson placed lower than expected at the recent 2026 Europe’s Strongest Man, making it hard to predict what he’ll be able to do at the WSM.
The second group at the 2026 World’s Strongest Man is arguably the most stacked. The star of the group is Tom Stoltman, having won three WSM titles in recent years. However, Jaco Schoonwinkel has previously taken down some of the greatest Strongmen in history during the qualifying stages of the WSM. On the other hand, Austin Andrade is coming off a second-place finish at the 2026 Arnold Strongman Classic, making him one to watch as well.
Group three is equally hard to predict, but Mitchell Hooper is who many expect to see on top. The former WSM winner will have to beat Paddy Haynes and Eddie Williams, both of whom are known for elite endurance and quickness. On the other hand, Lucas Hatton is always a favorite for any overhead pressing event, while the 20-year-old Matyáš Funiok is hoping to surprise everyone.
Going off recent success, Ondrej Fojtu is the biggest favorite to win group four, having put up a dominant performance to become Europe’s Strongest Man two weeks before the WSM. On the other hand, Martins Licis is one of the most experienced athletes in the field, which makes him one of the favorites as well.
Lastly, the fifth group features five incredible athletes as well, with everyone having a chance to qualify. The 2025 Strongest Man on Earth, Evan Singleton, is perhaps the most likely winner, but he has been recovering from an injury for a number of months. Additionally, Pavlo Kordiyaka placed second at the 2026 Europe’s Strongest Man competition, indicating that he might secure the top spot instead. It is also hard to look past Trey Mitchell, as he is a true static powerhouse capable of beating anyone in the world.
Related: 2026 World’s Strongest Man Events Revealed
The groups’ reveal brought even more excitement for the 2026 World’s Strongest Man, leaving everyone debating about who the finalists might be. The roster is clearly incredibly stacked, setting the stage for another incredible edition of the competition.
Follow the 2026 World’s Strongest Man – event breakdowns, athlete interviews, full results, and all the latest news at our WSM hub: FitnessVolt.com/wsm
