Top five overseas athletes to watch out for at Commonwealth Games 2026

Several overseas stars will participate at the Glasgow CWG.

More than 3,000 athletes will compete at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, which start on 23 July and run until 2 August. About 10 sporting events will be held in the upcoming edition, including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, and Para events.

Although the number of events has been reduced compared to the previous edition, some of the biggest athletes will still be seen competing against each other at the Glasgow CWG.

Olympic medalists, world champions, and rising talents will compete across four stadiums, with major clashes serving as the event’s main attractions. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five overseas athletes to watch out for at Glasgow CWG:

Overseas athletes to watch out for at Glasgow CWG

Innes FitzGerald – Athletics

Athletics has been a constant part of the Commonwealth Games, and Glasgow 2026 will give emerging talent a chance to prove themselves.

Distance runner Innes FitzGerald has been in sublime form this year, performing at the top level even though she has just finished her first year at university.

The youngster made history by breaking the European U20 5000m record at the London Diamond League and is also a two-time European U20 cross-country champion.

Fitzgerald has also spoken in the past about being vegan and climate change. Her coaches are two-time Commonwealth Games medalist Jo Pavey and her husband Mark.

Lizzi Jordan – Para Cycling

Paralympic champion Lizzi Jordan is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. She won time trial gold in Paris with pilot Danni Khan, and the English duo looked set to win more medals in future tournaments.

She lost her eyesight due to an E. coli infection that led to multiple organ failure. She made a brilliant comeback and announced her arrival in cycling after attending a talent ID day in 2020.

Ondine Achampong – Gymnastics

After becoming a three-time Commonwealth Games medalist, Ondine Achampong is all set to star in Glasgow.

The youngster won gold in the team event and silver on floor, then helped Great Britain qualify for the Olympics with another silver medal.

She could not participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an ACL injury. Still, she made a brilliant comeback in the American college scene, representing the California Golden Bears.

Achampong will have a perfect opportunity in Glasgow to make a brilliant comeback to the top level as she tries to win another medal.

Funmi Fadoju – Netball

There are very few players in world netball brighter than Funmi Fadoju. The youngster is considered one of the top players in the Netball Super League, where she represented London Pulse and won her first league title last year.

Her brilliant displays, staggering vertical jump, and ability to get the ball back at the perfect time have helped her become England’s main player.

She could not participate in the previous edition when she was 19, but she was part of the team that reached the World Cup 2023 summit clash.

Fadoju, who has been in sublime form, is what England need if they want to win their second Commonwealth gold medal in Glasgow.

Ali Jawad – Para Powerlifting

Ali Jawad, a para powerlifter, won bronze at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and silver at the Rio Paralympics.

The veteran stepped away from the sport after the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, but he made a brilliant comeback earlier this year after recovering from Crohn’s disease.

He will return to Glasgow after 12 years, having won bronze there, and another medal would make this one of the most emotional moments.

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