.gif)
Nigeria Table Tennis Federation.....
Twenty-four players have secured qualification for the ITTF Men’s & Women’s World Cup Macao 2026 following the completion of quarterfinal action at three continental events: the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup in Haikou, China; the CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux, Switzerland; and the ITTF-Africa Cup in Benghazi, Libya.
Reigning World Champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha led the Asian qualifiers, while Europe was fronted by three-time continental champion Darko Jorgic and defending champion Ying Han. Africa’s challenge was spearheaded by newly crowned African champion Omar Assar and Nigeria’s second seed Quadri Aruna, with Algeria celebrating a historic breakthrough by qualifying three players for the World Cup.
Asian Titles for Wang and Sun in Haikou
At the Wuyuan River Stadium, China’s Wang Chuqin successfully defended his Asian Cup crown, overcoming Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto 4–2 in the men’s final. After trailing 2–1, Wang responded with three consecutive games to secure the title.
In the women’s final, world number one Sun Yingsha claimed her first Asian Cup title after a gripping seven-game contest against compatriot Wang Manyu. Sun edged the decider 13–11 to seal a hard-earned victory. Bronze medals went to Japan’s Togami Shunsuke and China’s Kuai Man, both of whom also confirmed their places in Macao.
Lebrun and Winter Triumph in Europe
In Montreux, France’s Alexis Lebrun successfully defended his Europe Top 16 Cup title with a composed 3–1 victory over Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic. On the women’s side, Germany’s Sabine Winter captured the most significant title of her career, sweeping past Romania’s Bernadette Szocs 3–0 in the final.
Winter made history by becoming the first player since 1980 to win a major European title using anti-topspin rubber. “Winning the Europe Top 16 Cup is the most important international title of my career,” she said.
Assar Crowned African Champion as Algeria Makes History
In Benghazi, Egypt’s Omar Assar underlined his continental dominance by winning the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup, adding another title to his résumé and confirming his place at the World Cup. Nigeria’s second seed Quadri Aruna also qualified with a commanding run.
Algeria provided one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines, securing three World Cup berths in a landmark achievement. Teenage sensation Tania Morice impressed with a dominant quarterfinal victory to become the youngest Algerian player to qualify for the World Cup.
Stéphane Ouaiche sealed his qualification with a strong campaign, while Mehdi Bouloussa completed the historic trio by upsetting second seed Quadri Aruna 4–3 in the men’s semifinals.
Africa’s women’s field saw Egypt’s Hana Goda, nine-time champion Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby all secure qualification, alongside Algeria’s Tania Morice.
With continental champions crowned and qualification places confirmed, the road to Macao is now firmly set as the world’s elite prepare for the ITTF World Cup in 2026.
