How many countries are in the Olympics? Here's the full list of nations in (and out) of 2026 Winter Games

In winter 2026, the Olympics head to Milan, Italy, where athletes from over 200 delegations will compete for medals in respective competitions.

From the perennial Olympics powerhouses like the United States, France and Canada to the smaller nations that provide the feel-good stories, the 2026 games are sure to provide a spectacle fans have not seen before.

Here's the full list of countries competing in the Milan 2026 Olympics.

MORE: Full 2026 Winter Games events schedule

How many countries are in the Olympics?

Per the Olympics site, "more than 3,500 athletes from 93 countries will be competing for 195 medals in 16 Olympic disciplines and six Paralympic sports."

Because Winter sports require specific climates and facilities, fewer countries participate compared to the Summer Games.

How many countries are in the world?

According to the United Nations, there are 193 member states and two recognized non-member observer states: Vatican City and Palestine.

The Olympics, however, features a larger number of delegations because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs). This discrepancy exists because the IOC allows certain territories and dependencies to compete as independent entities, even if they lack full United Nations representation. For instance, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico send their own distinct Olympic delegations rather than competing as part of the United States.

MORE: Inside the venues for the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics

List of countries in the Olympics in 2026

The IOC suspended Russia and Belarus from the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, but 12 athletes from those countries will still compete. They will be classified as individual neutral athletes (AIN). There are also 4 athletes on the Refugee Olympic Team.