With lacrosse returning to the Olympics at LA 2028 after a 120-year hiatus, focus turns to the inevitable: how do teams qualify?
While the upcoming World Lacrosse Women’s Championships are not included within the qualification process, they are still an important event building up to LA.
The tournament will provide a great indicator of the level of prospective teams, as well as an opportunity for players to prove their worth ahead of qualification.
What are the World Lacrosse Women’s Championships?
Formerly known as the Women’s Lacrosse World Cup, the international championship of women’s lacrosse is held every four years.
Sixteen teams will compete in four pool play groups, before eight teams progress to the play-offs.
Teams qualified via continental qualifiers, with defending bronze medallists England joined by Scotland and Wales.
The United States lifted the trophy four years ago and have won a record nine titles, including the inaugural 1982 tournament.
Unlike Olympic lacrosse, which will be played in the Sixes format, the World Lacrosse Women’s Championships are contested by traditional 10-player teams.
When and where are they taking place?
The 2026 Championships will take place from 24 July to 2 August in Tokyo.
Hosted by the Japan Lacrosse Association, the competition will be carried out over two venues - Oi Stadium will see eight days of action, before the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium hosts the semi-finals and medal round.
After an opening ceremony, hosts Japan will kick things off against Czechia at 10.30am BST on 24 July.
Pool play ends on 28 July, before the top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals, with medals set to be decided on the tournament’s final day - 2 August.
Which teams are competing?
As reigning champions and lacrosse powerhouses, the USA are often the team to beat.
And that is no exception at the World Lacrosse Women’s Championships, as the nine-time winners aim to reach double digits.
The heavy favourites begin their title defence against Ireland on 25 July, with all eyes on the Americans as they start preparations for their home Olympics.
Defending bronze medallists England - who hosted the event in 2017 - begin their campaign later that day, at 7.30am BST against Puerto Rico.
They are joined in Pool C by Scotland, who face Argentina at 10.30am BST.
Wales start against Germany at 7.30am BST on the same day, in a Pool B that also includes 2022 silver medallists Canada.
Where to watch:
Every game will be streamed live on WLTV, the World Lacrosse TV website, with subscriptions and pay-per-view passes available for purchase.
How can teams qualify for LA 2028?
Though the World Lacrosse Women’s Championships do not count towards LA 2028, the qualification process is drawing ever closer.
The first step in the Olympic pathway is the Continental Championships, which will be contested from September to December 2026.
Sixteen teams from the African, Asia-Pacific, European and Pan-American events will progress to the 2027 World Lacrosse Sixes Championships (WLSC), which will serve as the main qualifier.
Provided the USA participate, they will automatically qualify as the host nation, with four other Olympic spots up for grabs at the WLSC.
Another qualifying tournament in early 2028 gives the top six teams not already qualified a last chance to earn the final ticket to LA.
This year’s World Lacrosse Women’s Championships begin exactly two years before the LA 2028 lacrosse action, which will take place from 24-29 July 2028 at Exposition Park Stadium.
Sportsbeat 2026