Somabay’s sun-filled coastline is preparing to play host to the first stop of the World Aquatics 2026 Open Water Swimming World Cup, which kicks off on Friday, 27 March.

A venue no stranger to the open water swimming circuit, the Egyptian resort will welcome 95 athletes from 26 federations, who will compete in three events over two days. Swimmers from Ecuador, India and Sri Lanka are amongst the federations included, showcasing the growing depth of open water swimming globally.

Image Source: Jan Hetfleisch/Getty Images

The first starting horn will sound for the Men’s 10km at 10 am local time on Friday morning. The event will feature the reigning overall champion from 2025, Logan Fontaine, as well as last year’s victor in Soma Bay, Florian Wellbrock. 

With conditions in the Red Sea expected to be warm and wavy, the event is set to be a real test. Speaking on the conditions last year, Wellbrock - who typically doesn’t favour the waves - described them as “tough and choppy” after winning gold, adding “it’s not my favourite conditions, so [I’m] happy with my first place today.”

Image Source: Florian Wellbrock started his stellar 2025 open water campaign with a 10km win in Soma Bay (World Aquatics)

The baton will then pass to the women’s field in the afternoon, with action getting underway in the 10km event at 13:00 local time.

Back in action will be Moesha Johnson (AUS), and Ginevra Taddeucci (ITA) who took the top two podium spots in this event last year, respectively.

Olympic silver medallist Johnson returns after a dominant season in 2025; one that saw her become double world champion in Singapore. Speaking after her win in Somabay last year, Johnson concurred with teammate Florian’s view of the conditions, adding: “That was a pretty rough race. Tough conditions with a tough pack of girls - it was definitely a challenge for myself with that wind. I don’t have a lot of words for that but tough!”

Her impressive form continued throughout the World Cup series where she collected four medals (three gold, one silver), resulting in her being the world’s top ranked female open water swimmer at the close of last season.

Olympic bronze medallist Tadduecci will join her on the start line in Somabay. The Italian finished last season on a career high, winning her first individual gold and Overall Leader trophy on home soil in Golfo Aranci.

Image Source: Australia's Moesha Johnson struck a confident pose in the athlete walkout before the start of the 10km individual in Soma Bay in 2025 (World Aquatics)

Marc-Antoine Olivier, Kristof Rasovsky, David Betlehem will also be in action on the men’s side, while Lea Boy, Caroline Jouisse, and Angela Martinez Guillen feature in the women’s race.

The Mixed 4x1500m Relay will round out action in Egypt on Saturday 28 March (midday), with 7 nations set to face off in the ever-entertaining race. It was Germany who took the win last year ahead of second place finishers, Australia, and bronze medallists, Italy.

 

Image Source: The start of Open Water Swimming World Cup racing returns to Soma Bay (World Aquatics)

For details of where to watch the action live, click here.