With events now complete in Asia and underway across  Europe, Africa, and the Pan American region, the race to secure qualification* spots for what promises to be the most significant World Championships in the sport’s illustrious history is intensifying. With Oceania having already led the charge earlier this year, the global table tennis family is united in a single mission: reaching London, where it all began a century ago.

Oceania Blazes the Trail

Australia made history in June by becoming the first member association to book their ticket to London 2026. At the ITTF Oceania Championships 2025, both Australian teams secured qualification in commanding fashion, opening the floodgates for regional representation.

Joining Australia’s men were New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Tahiti, whilst the women’s competition saw New Zealand, Tahiti, and Cook Islands earn their spots alongside the dominant Australians. These eight teams have already secured their places in history, ready to compete where the sport’s journey began in 1926.

China Sweeps Asian Championships

The 28th ITTF-ATTU Asian Table Tennis Team Championships concluded in Bhubaneswar with China claiming both titles in emphatic fashion, whilst determining all 16 qualification spots per gender for London 2026.

[Follow results here] | [Catch up on the matches again]

China swept both the men’s and women’s titles with identical 3-0 victories in Wednesday’s finals. The reigning world champions successfully defended their men’s team crown against Hong Kong, China, with world number two Lin Shidong opening proceedings with a straight-sets victory over Wong Chun Ting. Top-ranked Wang Chuqin then battled past Chan Baldwin in four games before Liang Jingkun sealed the triumph.

In the women’s final, China dethroned defending champions Japan in commanding style. Wang Manyu recovered from dropping the first game to defeat Honoka Hashimoto, world number one Sun Yingsha eased past Miwa Harimoto in straight sets, and Kuai Man completed the sweep with a hard-fought victory over Hina Hayata.

Europe Almost Ready for London 2026

Croatia’s coastal city of Zadar is hosting the European Team Championships at the Višnjik Sports Hall, where the round of 16 stage has determined almost all 16 qualification spots per gender for London 2026.

[Follow results here] | [Watch live here]

Team Moldova all smiles after a stunning 3-0 win over Austria. Photo: ETTU

The group stage delivered memorable upsets before the knockout rounds began. Moldova’s 24th-ranked squad stunned 12th-seeded Austria 3-0, with all three matches going the distance. “Every match was really tough, all 3-2, all 11-9,” said Vladislav Ursu. Türkiye’s marathon victory over Czechia and Spain’s young squad edging Hungary 3-2 provided further drama, with Miguel Angel Pantoja declaring: “With this team, we’re not afraid of anyone.”

France entered as men’s top seeds with teenage sensation Felix Lebrun alongside brother Alexis and Simon Gauzy, whilst defending champions Sweden, Germany, and Portugal lead the favourites. Greece, Serbia, Poland, Slovenia, Moldova, Türkiye, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, and Romania complete the 16-team lineup.

Germany’s women, seeking to equal the Netherlands’ record of four consecutive titles, qualified with Sabine Winter, Nina Mittelham, and Yuan Wan. Romania, led by world number two Bernadette Szocs and Elizabeta Samara, remain the only team to defeat Germany at a European Championship since 2013. They’re joined by Poland, Austria, Czechia, Netherlands, Portugal, Luxembourg, Hungary, Ukraine, Sweden, Spain, England, Serbia, Slovakia, Croatia and (winner of France vs Slovenia) in the 16-team women’s contingent.

Africa’s Battle in Tunis

Tunisia is welcoming the continent’s best to the Salle Multidisciplinaire Rades, where eight teams per gender will qualify for London 2026. With team events now underway, the singles competitions have already delivered spectacular drama.

[Follow results here] | [Watch live here]

Egypt’s dominance has been emphatic in the individual events. Omar Assar claimed the men’s singles title on Wednesday evening, defeating compatriot Youssef Abdelaziz 4-3 in a thrilling seven-game final. The four-time African champion showed his class despite dropping the opening game, ultimately prevailing 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8, 16-14, 11-7. Earlier in the quarterfinals, Assar had faced Tunisia’s Wassim Essid in their third meeting of 2025, emerging victorious 4-0 after Essid had staged a sensational comeback against Madagascar’s Fabio Rakotoarimanana to reach that stage.

In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Hana Goda captured the title with a commanding 4-0 victory over teammate Dina Meshref, cementing Egyptian supremacy in the individual competitions.

Defending men’s champions Nigeria will be determined to retain their crown.

The Nigerian men’s team sees the return of Mati Taiwo after nearly three years away from national duty. Now based in France and competing regularly at WTT events, Mati has earned his recall through strong performances at the West Africa Regional Championships. He joins captain Olajide Omotayo, Muizz Adegoke, Kuti Matthew, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in a youthful squad brimming with confidence despite the absence of veteran Aruna Quadri.

“We’re full of energy and can go a long way,” said Mati. “I feel we can cause an upset.”

Tunisia’s teams will enjoy passionate home support, whilst South Africa, Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda all harbour realistic hopes of securing World Championships qualification.

Pan America’s Finest Head to Rock Hill

For the first time in history, the ITTF Pan American Championships have come to the United States, with Rock Hill, South Carolina hosting the 8th edition at the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.

[Follow results here] | [Watch live here]

Brazil’s Hugo Calderano continued his continental dominance, claiming the men’s singles title with a 4-1 victory over home favourite Kanak Jha on Wednesday. The world number seven had earlier defeated Chile’s Nicolas Burgos 4-2 in the semifinals, whilst Jha overcame Argentina’s Horacio Cifuentes 4-0 to reach the final. Calderano’s triumph sets the stage for Brazil’s team campaign, where he’ll be supported by Leonardo Iizuka and Guilherme Teodoro.

Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz captured the women’s singles crown with a commanding 4-0 victory over Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi. Diaz had earlier defeated USA’s Lily Zhang 4-0 in the semifinals, whilst Takahashi advanced past Canada’s Mo Zhang 4-2. The result adds momentum to Puerto Rico’s women’s team challenge, with Adriana joined by her sister Fabiola as they aim to dethrone the Brazilian squad featuring the Takahashi sisters, Bruna and Giulia, alongside Laura Watanabe. The team events have now gotten underway today.

The host United States, led by multi-time Olympians Kanak Jha and Lily Zhang, will compete before home crowds just three years before Los Angeles hosts the Olympic Games. With 17 member associations represented and a straight single-elimination format ensuring maximum drama, Rock Hill promises to deliver thrilling encounters with no second chances.

The Road Leads to London

When the inaugural World Table Tennis Championships took place in London in 1926, few could have imagined how the sport would evolve into the global phenomenon it is today. That year also marked the founding of the ITTF, making London 2026 a double centenary celebration.

With Oceania having shown the way and four continents now poised to determine their representatives, the road to London continues. By Sunday evening, we will know which teams have taken their place in table tennis history, ready to celebrate a century of sporting excellence in the city where it all began.

*All qualification spots are subject to confirmation by the respective member associations.