England Fencing has announced its senior and U23 squads for the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, set to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, from 9 to 14 August 2026. Nigeria becomes the first African nation to host the championships, having secured the bid ahead of Australia.
The English squad, announced via the federation's Instagram channel, features athletes across men's and women's épée, foil and sabre, competing in both individual and team events. England Fencing has indicated the squad may still be refined before final selection is confirmed.
The men's épée team is William Ferguson, Jacob Houghton, Marc Burkhalter, Neale Thomas, Sameer Sunder-Rajan, James Hughes, Alex Edwards, Huw Richards and Rhys Jackson. In men's foil, the named fencers are Harri Picton Tully, Thomas Prince, Jack Davies, Alfie Smith, Callum Evans, Glen Ostacchini, Luca Florea, Alexander James and Nicholas Williams. The men's sabre squad consists of Ben Willmott, Dylan Galazka, Eiger Swinscow, Joe Evans and Gregory Lloyd.
In the women's épée squad are Louise Sadler, Amelie Russell, Emily Southern and Ffion Shute. The women's sabre squad features Ava Davies, Erin Corcoran, Amy Westwell, Daisy Cole and Sophie Howes.
Nigeria's hosting bid was strengthened by the country's recent track record on the international circuit. Lagos previously staged the FIE-sanctioned junior épée World Cup in December 2024 and the 23rd African Fencing Championships in 2025, both of which the Commonwealth Fencing Federation cited when awarding the hosting rights.
Nigeria Fencing Federation president Adeyinka Samuel framed the August event as a milestone for African fencing. "Nigeria's hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition," Samuel said.
Samuel also flagged the inclusion of para fencing as a particular point of pride. "The inclusion of para fencing is a vital step toward inclusivity. We are receiving strong support from World Ability Sport and other international stakeholders, who recognise the opportunity to expand awareness and participation in para fencing across Africa," he said.
The championship will be staged at Rugby School Nigeria, which the federation announced as the host venue. Samuel explained the choice: "The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay."
More than 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered. Samuel noted that a pre-championship international training camp will run in Lagos to bring athletes together ahead of the competition. "Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria's ability to host major international tournaments," he said.
For England, the squad selection comes amid a strong domestic season — with Ivy League and NCAA performances continuing to feed in talent — and ahead of the relocated 2026 European Fencing Championships in France. The Lagos event will give the senior and U23 squads competitive volume in non-FIE conditions before the World Championships qualification window opens later in the year.
