Which countries are banned from the 2026 Olympics?

As of early 2026, the countries banned from competing as official national teams at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, are Russia and Belarus. The International Olympic Committee announced that due to the ongoing war in Ukraine that began with Russia's invasion in February 2022 and Belarus's support for it, athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete under their national flags, anthems, or colors at the 2026 Winter Games, continuing the policy used at Paris 2024 and Beijing 2022. However, individual athletes from those countries who meet strict neutrality criteria, pass enhanced anti-doping testing, have not actively supported the war, and are not affiliated with the military may be allowed to compete as Individual Neutral Athletes, wearing neutral uniforms and with no medal table credit to their country. No other countries are fully banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics. North Korea was banned from the 2022 Winter Olympics for skipping Tokyo 2020 but has since been reinstated and is expected to be allowed in 2026. Guatemala's Olympic Committee was temporarily suspended in 2022 but was reinstated in 2024. The IOC has stated that any additional bans would depend on violations of the Olympic Charter, such as government interference or doping system failures, but as of now only Russia and Belarus face a national team ban.