The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which enters into force on 1 January 2026. 

The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), including the FAI. It designates which substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

Major modifications for 2026 

As outlined in the 2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, the major modifications for 2026 include the following:  

• Further examples or clarifications have been added to the following substance classes to help athletes and their entourage better identify prohibited substances: 
  • S1. Anabolic agents,
  • S2. Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics,  
  • S4. Hormone and metabolic modulators, and
  • S6. Stimulants.   
• The dosing intervals of salmeterol have been changed to avoid potential ergogenic effects, though the maximum daily delivered dose remains the same.
• More details have been given about the prohibition of withdrawal of blood and blood components.
• The non-diagnostic use of carbon monoxide (CO) has been added to the Prohibited Methods as a new section, M1.4. The use of carbon monoxide for diagnostic purposes, such as total hemoglobin mass measurements or the determination of pulmonary diffusion capacity, is not prohibited.
• Cell components (e.g., nuclei and organelles such as mitochondria and ribosomes) have been added to the existing prohibition of using normal or genetically modified cells.
• It has been clarified in the Glucocorticoids Washout Table that use of sustained-release formulations may result in detectable glucocorticoid levels past the washout period due to prolonged systemic absorption. 

FAI and WADA

Adhering to the WADA Prohibited List is one of the eight mandatory International Standards for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). FAI has been a Signatory since 2011. The list designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned.

• FAI Anti-Doping Information Centre

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