Expert predictions: Who will take the 2026 Hyundai Archery World Cup?

There is no more time for waiting as the first stage of the Hyundai Archery World Cup kicks off this afternoon in Puebla, Mexico with compound qualification.

Archery's premier international circuit always unveils the next generation of prospects, renews and ignites rivalries and of course offers fantastic match ups for the coveted World Cup trophy itself.

We’ve asked four experts to share their picks: 

• Karim Bashir, commentator
• John Stanley, journalist
• Audrey Adiceom, social media editor and archer
• Bernardo Oliveira, consultant, coach and Olympian

Find out below who they’ll be keeping an eye on in 2026.

Recurve men: Grande to continue upward curve?

In last year's predictions, our experts had four different picks for recurve men whereas this time two have faith in one Matias Grande.

Following his best season to date in 2025, winning his first individual World Cup medals - including gold at Madrid - it seems Grande's trajectory is only going up and being under the tutelage of former World Archery Excellence Centre coach Marc Dellenbach shouldn't hurt his progress.

“He had a great season in 2025, I see him in a clear upward trend and there's no reason to believe that won't continue in 2026,” says Bernardo.

“I’ve also noticed his confidence grow over the past couple of seasons,” adds Karim. “He believes he can beat anybody now.”

Audrey thinks it is Andres Temiño Mediel's time to shine on the tour as it was in Gwangju when he became Spain's first individual World champion as well as mixed team gold medallist with Elia Canales.

John's pick is a name not so known right now, but could be by the end of the year. Qin Wangyu is a silver medallist from the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games, and the 20 year old archer “represents the best of top Chinese talent” who are also gearing up for the Asian Games in October. 

Recurve Women: Korean shootout again?

Although Chinese Taipei's Hsu Hsin-tzu gave An San a run for her money in Nanjing last year, that hasn't deterred any of our experts from picking a Korean champion in the recurve women category. 

Their national trials are still ongoing - hence why there is no Korean representation in Puebla - and so there is no confirmation as to who is going on the world circuti this year but Kang Chaeyoung is still the popular choice amongst our experts.

Bernardo and Karim agree she is not done from becoming World champion as she seeks to cement one of the hotly contested places for LA28 after missing out on the Paris 2024 team.

In the prime of her career, they concur that Chaeyoung will be tough to beat in 2026.

“Nearing her 30's, she's got the strong mix of experience and top form. Her opponents will need to bring their A game to try and challenge her,” explains Bernardo.

“Kang seems to be back to her best form,” says Karim. “The Destroyer will be tough to be in the knockout format.”

Like his recurve men pick, John is trusting youth to flourish in the women category. He is picking Oh Yejin to go all the way in the stages and the final in Saltillo.

The Limerick 2023 World Youth champion beat the likes of Olympic triple gold medallist Lim Sihyeon to the initial eight-archer Korean squad and is closer than ever to shooting in her maiden World Cup tour. 

“The talent is there,” adds John. “I think she will make a rookie impact like never before.”

Audrey has the only non-Korean pick of the category, choosing India's Deepika Kumari to upset the apple cart.

Compound Men: Fullerton versus Schloesser?

Although recently voted as 'Archer of the Year' for 2025, Türkiye's Emircan Haney is not selected by any of our experts.

They instead are going for the inseparably elite qualities of Mathias Fullerton and Mike Schloesser who shared the world number one spot in  the compound men rankings at one stage last year. 

Karim suggests that if Gwangju 2025 World Championship runner-up Fullerton can hold his form consistently then it is his to win whilst John believes an impressive indoor season by the Dane - where he triumphed in Rio and Merida - bodes well for the Dane as he seeks his second World Cup Final gold.

“He has the discipline and mindset to upgrade some of those big silvers from last year to gold,” comments John.

Audrey concurs with Karim and John whilst Bernardo's pick is the current number one Schloesser, fresh off the back of sealing his third and “emotional” second Indoor World Series title at Vegas a fortnight ago.

“The guy is unstoppable. Just won Vegas for the third time. Despite the huge quality spread across the compound men field, it is difficult to see someone who can consistently challenge Mister Perfect.”

Compound Women: Becerra versus Gibson round two?

Similarly to compound men, three of our experts are predicting a duel for the compound women category between the top two ranked archers in the world.

2025 really was a tug of war for the spot after current number one Andrea Becerra emerged victorious in the first stage at Central Florida - her maiden World Cup individual gold - to end Ella Gibson's reign which incredibly lasted over 1000 days.

There were points Gibson took back the position but ultimately it was Becerra who had the last laugh, putting together an incredibly memorable outdoors season that includes glory at the Chengdu 2025 World Games and Gwangju 2025 World Championships.

She fell agonisingly short at the Nanjing 2025 World Cup Final to complete a terrific treble however by losing to teammate Mariana Bernal but Audrey, John and Karim are backing the Mexican to get that prize ticked off her to-do list in 2026.  

“Andrea Becerra seems to be unstoppable outdoors, attitude is dialled in,” comments John.

Bernardo is sticking with Vegas Shoot champion Gibson as he did last year to grab her first World Cup trophy.

“She's just won Vegas for the first time and even though Becerra pretty much dominated last season Ella still won a stage. She's as strong as ever, if not stronger.”