BAA chief executive officer (CEO), Mabua Mabua told Mmegi Online that a team of eight was provensionally selected, but the trip is not happening due to budgetary constraints. Botswana has never sent a team to the Cross Country Championships in recent times. "I do not think we ever did. The other challenge is that our times are too low and maybe we need to expose our Cross Country athletes to other competitions in the region and groom them better," Mabua said. Reacting to the decision, disappointed Sesebo Matlapeng said he felt sorry for the young athletes who were looking forward to the competition. He said to him it is business as usual because this is the sixth time, that long distance runners have failed to attend international competitions. Botswana failed to send a team to Poland Half Marathon (2022), China Cross Country (2015), Spain World Half Marathon ( 2018), Australia Cross Country (2023), and Serbia Cross-Country (2024). The 2026 World Athletics Cross-Country Championships are scheduled for January 10, in the United States of America (USA). The team comprised of Kefilwe Unnie Galeitsewe, Sesebo Matlapeng, Gaone Bathoen, Mosadikwena Gotswakgosi, Thusego Motlhaodi, Lopang Oontse, Kagiso Kebatshwaretse and Kebafilwe Matshegwane.
