The countdown is well and truly on for one of the biggest weekends on the international motocross calendar, with the provisional entry list now confirmed for the 2026 Monster Energy FIM Motocross of Nations. A total of 33 nations are set to descend on the legendary Raymond Demy circuit at Ernée in France from October 2nd to 4th, bringing together many of the fastest motocross riders in the world for the annual battle for national pride and the famous Trophée Chamberlain.
France will understandably arrive with huge expectations as the host nation returns to the scene of its memorable 2023 victory. That weekend saw Romain Febvre, Maxime Renaux and Tom Vialle claim the overall win in front of an incredible crowd of more than 100,000 spectators. Febvre returns to lead the French challenge in MXGP this time around, with Mathis Valin taking the MX2 position and Vialle lining up in the Open category. Former Grand Prix star Gautier Paulin will oversee proceedings as team manager.
The Americans can never be discounted at the Motocross of Nations and Team USA arrives in France looking to add to its position as the most successful country in the history of the event. Cooper Webb heads the American line-up alongside Chance Hymas and Levi Kitchen, giving the USA another formidable combination across the three categories. With the atmosphere at Ernée traditionally among the most intense anywhere in world motocross, the battle between the home favourites and the Americans alone should provide plenty of entertainment.
Australia arrives as defending champion but with a very different combination of riders charged with retaining the crown. Jed Beaton will be joined by Alex Larwood and Aaron Tanti as the Australians attempt to prove that their recent success runs considerably deeper than any one line-up. They face a particularly strong European challenge, however, with Spain among the countries expected to feature prominently when racing gets underway.
Four-time World Champion Jorge Prado leads a very impressive Spanish squad in MXGP, with Guillem Farres taking responsibility for MX2 and Ruben Fernandez completing the team in the Open class. On paper it is one of the strongest combinations heading to Ernée and certainly one capable of challenging for the overall victory if all three riders can deliver consistently across the weekend.
The Netherlands will inevitably attract plenty of attention thanks to Jeffrey Herlings. The Dutch superstar arrives as a six-time World Champion following another remarkable season and will once again be one of the headline attractions at the Nations. Roan van de Moosdijk is also named in the provisional Dutch squad, although one position remained to be confirmed when the initial entry list was published following the continued absence of Kay de Wolf through injury.
Belgium meanwhile brings one of the youngest and most intriguing teams to France. Twin brothers Lucas and Sacha Coenen will line up alongside Liam Everts, giving the Belgians enormous potential if everything comes together over the weekend. Italy will also be hoping to improve on its sixth-place result last time around, with former MX2 World Champion Andrea Adamo joined by Andrea Bonacorsi and Ferruccio Zanchi in another talented three-rider combination.
Slovenia has become increasingly difficult to overlook at the Motocross of Nations and will be aiming to at least match its impressive fifth-place finish from last year. Five-time World Champion Tim Gajser is once again the centrepiece of the Slovenian effort and will be joined by Jan Pancar and Jan Peklaj. With Gajser capable of fighting at the very front and Pancar continuing to establish himself at Grand Prix level, Slovenia could once again find itself troubling some of the traditionally stronger motocross nations.
Latvia is another country capable of springing a surprise. The Reisulis brothers have shown impressive pace in MX2 this season and their inclusion alongside former World Champion Pauls Jonass gives Latvia an interesting blend of youth and experience. Switzerland, led by Jeremy Seewer, Sweden with Isak Gifting and Germany should also be in the mix as the unpredictable three-race format begins to take its toll on Sunday afternoon.
The scale of this year’s entry also demonstrates just how international the Motocross of Nations has become. Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, Chile and Iceland are among the countries making the journey to Ernée, with riders including Camden McLellan, Enzo Lopes, Kainosuke Oshiro, Haruki Yokoyama and Yuki Okura adding further international flavour to an already stacked paddock.
There are still a handful of places to be confirmed before the gates drop in France, so the provisional entry list could yet change in the weeks leading up to the event. What is already certain is that Ernée looks set for another enormous Motocross of Nations weekend. With 33 countries, a packed field of World Championship talent and the French defending their home ground at a circuit where they enjoyed an unforgettable victory three years ago, October 2nd to 4th should deliver one of the motocross highlights of 2026.
