The countdown to the 20th Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026 is entering its final stage, and the numbers alone demonstrate the impressive scale of the event.

A total of 3,854 athletes representing 26 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will gather in Puglia for two weeks of competition, transforming Taranto and the other host venues into a true sporting meeting point for the Mediterranean.

It comes as no surprise that the host nation Italy will field the largest delegation, with close to 500 members.

Italy is followed, by Türkiye, France, Greece, Algeria and Spain, all of which will arrive in Taranto with major teams and strong medal ambitions.

The presence of such large delegations underlines the level of competition expected across the Games, with many of the Mediterranean region’s leading athletes set to compete for medals.

Four athletes representing Athletica Vaticana will compete at the Mediterranean Games for the second consecutive edition, following their participation at Oran 2022.

Their presence in Taranto has once again been made possible thanks to the approval of all the participating countries, underlining the inclusive character of the Mediterranean Games and their ability to bring together athletes from different backgrounds through sport.

The participation figures also reveal some interesting differences in the composition of the national teams. Slovenia and San Marino stand out as the two delegations with more female than male athletes.

While this may be only one detail among the thousands of athletes competing in Taranto, it reflects the growing presence and importance of women in elite sport and the increasingly balanced participation across international competitions.

The figure of 3,854 athletes is much more than a statistic. It represents the diversity of the Mediterranean sporting community, bringing together different countries, cultures, languages and sporting traditions in one major event.

From 21 August to 3 September, the eyes of the Mediterranean sporting world will turn to Puglia as athletes from 26 NOCs compete for medals, records and unforgettable moments.