Nigeria Handed Tough Draw For London 2026 World Team Championships

Nigeria Handed Tough Draw For London 2026 World Team Championships

By Admin 

Nigeria has been drawn alongside Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and South Africa in Group 15 of the men’s competition at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, scheduled to take place in London from 29 April to 10 May, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The draw ceremony was held on Monday January 26 at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London. Nigeria’s men’s team, led by Africa’s highest-ranked player Quadri Aruna, faces a challenging group that includes Hong Kong, renowned for its emerging young talents, Middle Eastern contenders Saudi Arabia, and familiar continental rivals South Africa.

In the women’s event, Nigeria will compete in Group 11 under the leadership of Fatimo Bello. The team has been paired with Australia, Uzbekistan and Wales.

African champions Egypt were handed a favourable draw in the men’s competition. Omar Assar’s side will contest Group 8 against Kazakhstan, Turkey and Thailand. In the women’s category, rising star Hana Goda will spearhead Egypt’s challenge in Group 6, where they will face Algeria, South Africa and Syria.

Defending champions China, winners of the last 11 men’s titles, headline Group 1 alongside host nation England, five-time champions Sweden and Korea Republic. France, runners-up at the previous edition, have been drawn in Group 2 with Japan, Germany and Chinese Taipei as they pursue a maiden Swaythling Cup triumph.

In the women’s draw, hosts England are placed in Group 2 with Japan, Germany and France. China, the most successful nation in the women’s competition with 23 Corbillon Cup titles, lead Group 1 against Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei and Romania.

The top eight seeded teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions will advance directly to Stage 1a, to be held at the OVO Arena Wembley from 2–3 May 2026. All teams will then progress to Stage 2, with group results determining seedings for the knockout phase.

Stage 1b will be contested at the Copper Box Arena from 28 April to 1 May, featuring 56 teams in each competition battling for the remaining 24 places in the main draw.

The London 2026 championships will mark the centenary of the World Table Tennis Championships, first staged in the city in 1926.

“From London to London, we have come full circle,” said ITTF President Petra Sörling. “England has hosted the World Championships on seven occasions, but returning to where it all began makes this centenary edition truly special. This event is already historic, and I am confident it will also be unforgettable.”