By Thierry Verviers
Following table tennis for nearly 50 years brings many memories, but few events spark as much excitement as the ITTF World Cup. For the third consecutive year, Macao will host this prestigious tournament from March 30 to April 5 at the spectacular Galaxy Arena.
Forty-eight men and forty-eight women will battle for the legendary Evans and Hammarlund Cups. What makes the 2026 edition truly historic is its timing: it falls exactly during the ITTF’s centenary year. Founded in 1926, the international federation celebrates 100 years of passion, technical evolution, and world-class competition this year.
The Favorites and the “Armada”
All eyes will be on Hugo Calderano and Sun Yingsha, the defending champions determined to retain their crowns. However, the path to victory is steep. China is bringing a formidable “armada” including Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, and Liang Jingkun, ensuring that every match will be a fight to the finish.
A High-Stakes Format Change
This year introduces a fascinating tactical shift. For the first time in World Cup history, the Stage 1 group phase will be played as a best-of-five sets.
- Stage 1: 48 players divided into 16 groups of 3 (round-robin).
- Seeding: Based on the Week 13 world rankings (March 23).
- Stage 2: The 16 group winners advance to a best-of-seven knockout bracket.
Moving to a best-of-five format in the opening stage completely changes the pressure. There is zero room for a slow start; players must be at 100% from the very first serve.
The Rise of the “Young Guns”
One of the most exciting aspects of this draw is the inclusion of the “young guns.” Japan’s Kawakami Ryuusei and China’s Qin Yuxuan—both reigning U19 World Champions—will test their mettle against the senior elite. For those who love watching the evolution of the sport, this cross-generational battle is the ultimate highlight. They will learn more in one week in Macao than in an entire season elsewhere.
ITTF (2026) – ITTF World Cup Macao 2026: Official Tournament Page – Link
ITTF News – World Cup Macao adopts best of five format for Stage 1 – Link
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