Kenya’s track giants will be chasing more Diamond League points and global bragging rights on Friday when the Wanda Diamond League rolls into Monaco for its 10th meeting of the 2026 season.

Headlined by world champions Faith Kipyegon, Emmanuel Wanyonyi and steeplechase rising star Edmund Serem, the Kenyan contingent arrives in the Principality fresh from a record-filled weekend in Eugene and ready to take on some of the best in the sport.

All eyes will be on three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon as she returns in the women’s 3000m.

It will be her first race since a rare defeat in the mile at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene last weekend, where she finished behind American Nikki Hiltz and fellow Kenyan Dorcus Ewoi. Kipyegon later revealed she had been battling a hamstring niggle.

The 31-year-old, who holds world records of 3:48.68 in the 1500m and 4:07.64 in the mile, will use Monaco as both a test of fitness and a step up in distance. She also ran the fastest mile ever by a woman at the Breaking4 exhibition, though that time was not ratified due to pacing and tech assistance.

In Monaco she faces a stacked field including compatriot Agnes Jebet Ngetich, Ethiopia’s Aleshign Baweke, Australia’s Jess Hull and several other world-class distance runners.

For Kipyegon, the 3000m is also part of a longer plan. She has spoken openly about eventually moving to the marathon, and racing over 3000m gives her valuable endurance work without the full jump in mileage.

Olympic and world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi headlines the men’s middle-distance action when he drops into the rarely-run 1000m.

The world number one arrives in Monaco in red-hot form. He set a meeting record of 1:41.44 over 800m here last year and will be looking to add another fast time to his 2026 resume.

He renews a fierce rivalry with Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, the Olympic and world medallist. The field also includes Spain’s current world leader Mohamed Attaoui, Britain’s former 1500m world champion Jake Wightman, American Bryce Hoppel, Ben Pattison of Britain and France’s Gabriel Tual. Expect a tactical, fast race on Monaco’s quick track.

Kenya’s traditional strength in the barriers will be on full display in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Edmund Serem, currently world number two, leads a 7-man Kenyan team that also includes Amos Serem, Leonard Kipkemoi Bett, Abraham Kibiwot, Simon Koech, Wilberforce Chemiat Kones and Cornelius Kipkosgei Konor.

In the men’s 5000m, Cornelius Kemboi and Jacob Krop will carry Kenyan hopes against an international field that includes Ethiopia’s Khairi Bejiga and Biniam Mehary.

Ethiopia also brings serious firepower to the women’s 3000m with Baweke, Bernesh Dessie, Senayet Getachew, Freweyni Hailu, Birke Haylom and Yenenesh Shimket all entered, setting up a Kenya vs Ethiopia showdown.

Morocco’s Salah Eddine Ben Yazide lines up in the steeplechase, adding North African flavor to the distance events.

The Monaco meeting is never just about Kenya. Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, the world number one in the 400m, comes in unbeaten in the Diamond League this year after wins in Xiamen, Paris and Eugene. He faces South Africa’s Zakithi Nene, Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith and American Jacory Patterson.

In the men’s 100m, Botswana’s Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo goes up against Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme.

On the field, South Africa’s Jo-Ane du Plessis competes in the women’s javelin and Senegal’s Saly Sarr is in the women’s triple jump.

Friday’s Monaco Diamond League is the 10th leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League. The season started in Shanghai/Keqiao in May and will wrap up with the two-day final in Brussels on 4–5 September.

Known for fast times and deep fields, the Stade Louis II track has produced multiple world records over the years. For Kenya’s team, it’s another chance to assert dominance midway through the season and build momentum toward the World Championships later this year.

The Monaco Diamond League starts Friday evening local time.