The reigning Women’s World Champions, Nano, will not be at the upcoming World Chase Tag® World Championships.

The decision is now official. Nano does not appear on the list of confirmed teams published on WCT’s ticketing platform and official channels, confirming that the titleholders will not defend their crown this season.

While the confirmation became public alongside the Worlds announcement, the situation had been developing for months. Nano remains an active team and is expected to return in the future, but chose to step away from Worlds this year, feeling they could not field a roster strong enough to compete at the level they expect of themselves.

The absence comes after the retirement of several key athletes. After winning the championship, some moved on to new personal and professional challenges, while others focused on long-term travel and individual projects, limiting their ability to train consistently at elite level this season.

“This isn’t the end of Nano,” a WCT official said. “It’s a pause. Championships are demanding, and teams need depth, continuity, and availability. Nano made a responsible decision based on where they are right now.”

Former Nano athletes remain eligible to compete at Worlds, but only if they secure a transfer to another team before the end of February 2026. Each team is allowed just one transfer per window, making those spots both limited and highly valuable. Several teams are already rumored to be competing for Nano’s former talent, though no moves have been confirmed.

Nano captain Maïlys Blasco framed the decision as a long-term choice rather than a retreat. “Winning Worlds was an incredible moment,” she said. “But maintaining that level takes a huge collective commitment. This season, we couldn’t offer that as a team. Stepping back now is about coming back stronger later.”

From a competitive standpoint, Nano’s absence reshapes the women’s division. Anarchy, the reigning US champions and one of the most dominant teams in recent seasons, now move from challenger to clear favourite, a position that brings its own pressure. Teams like Kunoichi, consistent finalists, and Valkyrie, invited as a wildcard and building momentum since the last Worlds, may find a more open path toward the later stages.

There are also structural consequences. With Nano stepping away, three wildcard slots, instead of two, are now available, opening the door for new or returning teams to enter the World Championship field.

More broadly, Nano’s decision raises questions that go beyond a single tournament. In a growing but still compact ecosystem, the loss of one or two key athletes can be enough to destabilise even a championship-winning team. At the same time, it also highlights the increasing depth of the women’s division. A field strong enough to move forward even when its champions step aside.

As Worlds approach, the question now is simple: who steps up when the champions are gone?