The 2019 World Athletics Championships were held in Doha from 27 September to 6 October 2019, the 17th edition and the first held in the Middle East. They were the last World Championships staged under the IAAF name before the body became World Athletics. Track and field events took place at Khalifa International Stadium, which was fitted with a cooling system.

A total of 1,772 athletes from 206 nations competed in 49 events. The marathon and race walking were held on the Doha Corniche, and road events were scheduled at night because of the climate. Three world records were set during the championships.

Qatar's Mutaz Barshim won the men's high jump with a clearance of 2.37m, becoming the first athlete to retain the world title. Dalilah Muhammad of the United States set a world record of 52.16 seconds in the 400m hurdles. The shot put final was decided by one centimetre, with Joe Kovacs winning on 22.91m. The United States finished top of the medal table with 14 gold medals.