Players around the world are celebrating after helping their country book a place at next year’s ITTF World Team Championships in London!
A total of 52 countries – plus hosts England – have now secured their places at the iconic centenary edition of the Championships, through continental championships around the world.
All that’s missing is the identity of the remaining 11 teams of each gender, who will secure a place through the team world rankings next month.
There were 16 places for each gender available through both the Asian and European Championships, with eight in each of the African and American Championships.
The ITTF Oceania Championships took place earlier this year, with the men’s teams from Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Tahiti earning their places, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and the Cook Islands in the women’s competitions.
This is who will be on the plane to London next April!
Asia
Powerhouse China tops the list of 16 Asian countries qualifying for the centennial ITTF World Team Championships 2026 in London.
Both the men’s and women’s teams are defending champions and therefore did not have to qualify for London, but both took their usual continental titles at the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar, India.
Other countries qualifying for both men’s and women’s teams include Japan, South Korea, India, Chinese Taipei, North Korea and Malaysia (pictured above).
The full list of eligible countries is:
Gentlemen
China (reigning world champion)
Regional Champions: Bahrain (Western Asia), Kazakhstan (Central Asia), India (South Asia)
Via continental championships: Japan, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, North Korea, Iran, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Qatar, Mongolia, Uzbekistan
Women
China (reigning champion)
Regional Champions: Syria (Western Asia), Kazakhstan (Central Asia), India (South Asia)
Via continental championships: Japan, Singapore, South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Macau, Mongolia
While China winning both continental titles is no surprise, the men’s team suffered a huge scare in an incredible semi-final against Japan.
Each match lasted five games and China had to come from 2-0 down to clinch their place in the final. Tomokazu Harimoto (WR 4) put Japan ahead by beating Liang Jingkun 12-10, 11-13, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9 and Sora Matsushima (WR 16) then sank world No. 1 Wang Chuqin 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7.
World No. 2 Lin Shidong started the comeback as he defeated Hiroto Shinozuka (WR 31) 12-14, 11-2, 11-5, 10-12, 11-6 and Wang then defeated Harimoto 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, 13-15, 11-8.
World No. 7 Liang then took the gold when he came from 2-1 down to beat Matsushima 8-11, 13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-3. China defeated Hong Kong in the final 3-0.
In contrast, the Chinese women came through to take the title without dropping a match, culminating in a 3-0 win over Japan in the final.
Europe
The French women’s 3-0 victory over Slovenia in the play-off for 17th position on Thursday evening earned them the final qualifying spot.
Because England finished in the top 16 but did not have to qualify, 17th place also earned a place as hosts for London 2026.
As third seeds, France had a disastrous group stage, with defeats against both France and the Netherlands taking them to the play-offs. But wins over Wales, Turkey and Slovenia, all 3-0, saw them salvage their tournament.
The full list of eligible countries is:
Gentlemen
France, Sweden, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Croatia, Denmark, Poland, Greece, Serbia, Moldova, Turkey.
Women
Germany, Romania, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Croatia, Slovakia, Austria, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Ukraine, Spain, England, Serbia, France
Pan America
Argentina beat the US 3-2 to win the men’s final, while Puerto Rico was victorious 3-1 over the Americans in the women’s final.
Kanak Jha won his two matches in the final 3-2, but Argentine trio Horacio Cifuentes, Francisco Sanchi and Santiago Lorenzo won one each to clinch the title for their country.
In the women’s final, Adriana Diaz inspired Puerto Rico to take the crown by winning her two matches, including against American spearhead Lily Zhang, adding to one win for Brianna Burgos.
The full list of eligible countries is:
Gentlemen
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, Guatemala, Chile
Women
Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States, Argentina, Guatemala
Africa
The full list of eligible countries is:
Gentlemen
Egypt, Benin, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco
Women
Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa
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