Europe is the continent with the highest number of participating NOCs at the ANOC World Beach Games (WBC), as 35 out of the overall 97 countries who will compete in Qatar from 12-16 October are European.

The inaugural WBG will feature all the 5 continents, with 17 NOCs from Africa, 19 from Americas, 21 from Asia and 5 from Oceania.

The biggest European delegation is represented by Spain with 62 athletes, followed by Russia with 55 and Italy with 35.

“We are delighted to have close to 100 NOCs from all five continents qualified for the first ever edition of the event,” ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg said. “We could not be sure how many NOCs would qualify and so it has been fantastic to see both big and small NOCs from all over the world securing their place over the last 12 months.”

More than 1,200 athletes are expected to compete in a total of 14 sport disciplines: 3×3 Basketball, Kitefoil Racing, Open Water Swimming (5Km), Aquathlon, Karate Individual Kata, Beach Wrestling, Beach Tennis, Beach Soccer, Beach Handball, Beach Volleyball, Bouldering, Skateboarding, Waterski Jump and Wakeboard all expecting world-class fields.

The ANOC General Assembly and ANOC Awards 2019 will take place on 17-18 October. The EOC President and Secretary General will attend the events and present a report on the European sport year to all 206 NOCs of the World.