Breaking at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026: NOC Interest, Eligibility and Quota Allocation Framework
The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) delivered today an online workshop dedicated to the quota allocation process for Breaking at the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. The session aimed to provide National Member Bodies (NMBs) and key stakeholders with a clear overview of the eligibility requirements, selection framework and major milestones leading towards athlete allocation.
Global Interest and Eligibility Overview
WDSF has recorded significant interest from NOCs worldwide in relation to Breaking at YOG Dakar 2026. Out of 205 NOCs globally:
- 54 NOCs expressed interest in B-Boys
- 53 NOCs expressed interest in B-Girls
However, it is important to note that expressing interest does not automatically confirm eligibility.
Following the eligibility verification process, the number of eligible NOCs from the interested group is:
- 33 eligible NOCs for B-Boys
- 33 eligible NOCs for B-Girls
Athlete Eligibility Criteria
To be considered eligible for the quota allocation process, athletes must meet all mandatory eligibility conditions, including:
- Participation in at least one official WDSF Breaking event
- Compliance with the official age restriction
- Holding an active WDSF Athlete Card
- Completion of all required administrative documentation
- Full compliance with anti-doping regulations and clearance procedures
NMBs are reminded that eligibility must be maintained throughout the process and is subject to verification.
Continental Eligibility Landscape
At present, continents meeting both the requirements of interest and confirmed eligibility include:
- America
- Asia
- Europe
- Africa (Morocco and Senegal)
This continental distribution is relevant due to the allocation model including specific continental quota places.
IOC Participation Principles Guiding Quota Allocation
Quota allocation for YOG Dakar 2026 follows the participation principles established by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including:
- Universality
- Continental representation
- Priority to Africa
- Host country representation
- Athlete performance
- Gender equality
These principles will be applied in parallel with sport-specific ranking and eligibility requirements.
Key Driver of Allocation: WDSF Youth World Ranking List
The primary basis for quota allocation is the WDSF Youth World Ranking List, using the ranking position as of: 20 January 2026.
This ranking list will be applied alongside mandatory eligibility filters.
Mandatory Eligibility Filters for the Ranking List
To be included in the final evaluation for quota allocation, athletes must meet the following mandatory conditions:
- Born between 14 November 2008 and 12 November 2013
- Participation in at least one WDSF Breaking event
- Possession of an active WDSF Athlete Card
- Completion of all documentation requirements
- Compliance with anti-doping rules and eligibility verification procedures
Proposed Quota Allocation Model (Per Gender)
The proposed quota allocation for each gender category is:
- 12 athletes per gender
- Maximum of one athlete per NOC
Quota breakdown per gender:
- 1 spot – Host country (Senegal)
- 4 spots – Continental allocation (Africa, Asia, America, Europe)
- 7 spots – World Ranking List allocation
If a continent has no eligible athlete, the quota will be reallocated to the World Ranking List.
IOC Requirement: Quota Allocation Limited to One Gender per NOC
The IOC has requested that quota allocation be limited to only one gender per NOC. This means that if an NOC has eligible athletes in both B-Boys and B-Girls categories, the quota will be allocated to the athlete with the higher ranking position.
Example: If an NOC has a B-Boy ranked 3rd and a B-Girl ranked 12th, the quota would be allocated to the B-Boy.
Exceptions may apply, particularly for:
- Senegal (host country)
- Morocco (currently the only eligible African country outside the host nation)
Quotas Are Allocated to NOCs
WDSF wishes to emphasise that quota places are allocated to NOCs, not to individual athletes.
The NOC retains the right to select any eligible athlete, in accordance with the eligibility criteria defined by WDSF and the IOC.
NMBs are therefore encouraged to coordinate closely with their NOCs to ensure correct athlete selection procedures and timely registration.
Key Upcoming Milestones
- 7 August 2026 – Deadline to register athletes in the Accreditation System
- 24 August 2026 – Opening of the Sport Entries system
- 25 September 2026 – Sport Entries deadline
All dates remain subject to change by the IOC.
Indicative Quota Allocation Lists
Based on the current eligibility verification and the quota allocation framework, the following indicative NOCs were presented:
B-Boys
- People’s Republic of China
- Colombia
- Denmark
- Hong Kong, China
- Italy
- Latvia
- Morocco
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Senegal
- Chinese Taipei
- Belarus
B-Girls
- Bulgaria
- Spain
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Republic of Korea
- Morocco
- Malaysia
- Senegal
- Ukraine
- United States of America
NMBs are encouraged to ensure that athletes remain eligible by participating in WDSF events, maintaining an active Athlete Card and complying fully with administrative and anti-doping requirements. Coordination with NOCs is essential, particularly due to the quota allocation being awarded to NOCs and limited to one gender per country.
WDSF will continue to provide further updates as the Dakar 2026 process progresses.
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