Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
An elite women’s 4x100m relay is set for the Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, where multiple global medalists will compete for podium spots, prize money, and qualification for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing. Twelve federations will automatically secure World Championships places by finishing in the top two of their heats over two days of competition, comprising four heats on day one and two additional heats on day two.
The top three from last year’s World Relays—Great Britain & Northern Ireland, Spain, and Jamaica—will face world and Olympic champions USA and Germany, both featuring athletes with recent global medal success. Other strong contenders include Canada and France. The relays remain unpredictable despite these strong squads.
The USA team, reigning Olympic and world champions, will compete without exactly replicating their title-winning squads. They are expected to feature NCAA champions Samirah Moody, Semira Killebrew, Jadyn Mays, and Jada Mowatt, all seeking to make an impact on the global stage.
Jamaica, traditionally strong with podium finishes at all but two World Championships editions, will aim for more success and automatic qualification. Their line-up features five-time Olympic gold medalist Elaine Thompson-Herah, two-time world 200m champion Shericka Jackson, and rising stars Tia and Tina Clayton, as well as Jonielle Smith, a world silver medalist in Tokyo last year.
Germany, after earning world bronze in 2023 and 2025 and Olympic bronze in 2024, will field Rebekka Haase and Gina Lückenkemper, both key members of their recent medal-winning teams.
Great Britain hopes to retain their title after Success Eduan anchored them to gold in Guangzhou in 2025. World U20 100m bronze medalist Nia Wedderburn-Goodison and double Olympic/world relay medalist Imani-Lara Lansiquot join the squad.
Spain, runners-up last year in Guangzhou, return with Esperança Cladera, Jaël Bestué, Paula Sevilla, and María Isabel Pérez. Sevilla may focus on the 4x400m relay.