Fifty-one prominent figures in international karate, including world champions and referees, have signed a letter urging the suspension of the Karate Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and calling for protective mechanisms for Iranian athletes to compete under the WKF or IOC flags. The letter alleges links between the federation and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, citing the killing of athletes and restrictions on competing against Israeli opponents. The WKF, IOC, and Iranian authorities have not yet responded.

Dozens of English karate athletes, coaches, and referees have been barred from participating in the World Karate Federation (WKF) European Championships in Limassol due to safeguarding and governance concerns. A complaint to Athlete365, the IOC's athlete engagement platform, highlighted the lack of a clear safeguarding framework within the WKF, stemming from ongoing conflicts within British karate. The situation has led to the exclusion of many from WKF-sanctioned events, impacting athletes like Tyler Jones. The English Karate Federation (EKF) continues to operate independently despite the emergence of ENKGB, and the WKF's recognition of the British Karate Federation over the home nations is a contributing factor. The EKF recently held an AGM, resolving to change its legal status to a Community Interest Company (CIC).

Recent incidents at the Karate1 Series A event in Tbilisi, where an Iranian athlete refused to compete against an Israeli opponent, have highlighted a recurring pattern of Iranian athletes avoiding Israeli competitors. The World Karate Federation (WKF) has faced criticism for its largely silent response to these politically motivated withdrawals, which violate the Olympic Charter's principles of non-discrimination and fair play. Similar incidents have occurred in previous years, with the WKF sometimes facilitating symbolic matches to preserve ranking points. These actions raise concerns about the WKF's ability to enforce anti-discrimination rules and uphold the ideals of Olympism, with other nations like Kuwait also exhibiting similar behavior. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) may face pressure to address the issue.

Gilles Cherdieu was elected president of the French Karate Federation, ending Francis Didier's 25-year leadership with 75% of the vote. Didier had previously supported Verfaillie in a controversial election in 2024, which the French National Olympic Committee did not recognize. Didier later admitted to using federation resources to support Verfaillie's campaign, including transferring funds and reactivating the federation's magazine. Cherdieu inherits financial difficulties, with the federation reporting significant losses in recent years despite substantial revenue.

Despite significant funding from the IOC, the World Karate Federation (WKF), led by Antonio Espinós for 26 years, exhibits systemic gender inequality. Women are excluded from leadership roles, with only three of 23 executive board members being women. Participation rates of women in WKF events and governance are strikingly low, and the sport faces calls for reassessment regarding governance and inclusivity.