Nigeria And Egypt Lead Africa At ITTF Centenary Championships In London

Excitement is building across the table tennis world as the official draws for the 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships were unveiled on January 26, 2026, at London’s iconic skyscraper, The Shard. The ceremony marked a historic milestone: a century after the inaugural ITTF World Championships were held in London in 1926, the sport is returning to its birthplace for a centenary celebration that promises both intensity and spectacle.

This year’s championships, scheduled from April 28 to May 10, will see 64 men’s and 64 women’s teams from around the globe descend upon two of London’s most prestigious venues. Over 13 days, the world’s elite will battle for the coveted Swaythling Cup (men’s team) and Corbillon Cup (women’s team), with the action culminating in knockout rounds that are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

For Africa, the draw was a source of pride and anticipation. Nigeria and Egypt, long considered the continent’s table tennis powerhouses, are set to spearhead a formidable African contingent. In the men’s category, 12 African teams—including Benin, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Angola—will compete among the 64-nation field. The women’s division boasts 11 African teams, with Ghana, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and others joining Nigeria and Egypt in pursuit of glory.

Qualification for this grand event was no small feat. Of the 64 teams per gender, 52 earned their spots through fiercely contested continental championships, while 11 more secured qualification via the ITTF world rankings as of November 2025. Host nation England rounds out the field, eager to make a mark on home soil.

The draw event itself was a blend of tradition, nostalgia, and modern spectacle. Guests gathered at the Shangri-La Hotel atop The Shard, with Table Tennis England President Jill Parker MBE and former men’s team bronze medallist Paul Drinkhall presiding over the draws. As the names were pulled from the bowls, tension mounted—who would face whom in the opening salvos of this centenary showdown?

England’s men’s team found themselves drawn into a challenging group alongside defending champions China, perennial contenders Sweden, and South Korea. The prospect of facing such table tennis heavyweights early on has already set tongues wagging. On the women’s side, England’s group includes Japan, Germany, and France, ensuring a tough path to the knockout stages.

Other notable groupings saw Wales’ women’s team set to face Australia, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan in Group 11, while in the men’s draw, Group 15 features Nigeria and South Africa, promising a fierce African rivalry. Across all groups, the diversity of nations—ranging from table tennis giants to emerging challengers—underscores the sport’s global reach and ever-growing popularity.

The format for the championships will unfold in three distinct stages. Stage 1B features group matches that determine qualification pathways, setting the stage for the all-important Stage 1A seeding matches among the top-ranked teams. Stage 2 will see the drama intensify as the tournament shifts to knockout rounds, with every match potentially a make-or-break moment.

During the draw ceremony, ITTF President Petra Sörling took to the lectern, reflecting on the sport’s journey over the past century. "Returning to where it all began makes this centenary championships truly special," she declared, promising that the 2026 edition will be "unforgettable." The sentiment was echoed by Table Tennis England Chair Clare Briegal MBE, who said, "Standing in London’s tallest building, I feel on top of the world as we prepare to welcome the world." Esther Britten MBE from UK Sport highlighted the importance of national support and the role of the National Lottery in bringing such major events to life.

The draw ceremony also paid homage to the sport’s storied past. A video montage whisked attendees through 100 years of table tennis history in just 100 seconds—a poignant reminder of how much has changed since 1926, and how much remains the same. The passion, the rivalries, the pursuit of excellence: these are constants that have defined the ITTF World Championships for generations.

For African teams, the 2026 championships are more than just another tournament—they are a chance to showcase the continent’s growing prowess on the global stage. Nigeria and Egypt, in particular, have long been standard-bearers, producing athletes who have competed with distinction at the very highest level. But this year, with a record number of African teams in both the men’s and women’s draws, there is a palpable sense that the gap with the world’s elite is narrowing.

The road ahead will not be easy. The group stages are littered with potential pitfalls, and the knockout rounds promise no respite. But as the draw revealed, every team has a shot at making history—and with the centenary celebrations adding an extra layer of significance, the stakes have never been higher.

For England, the pressure of playing at home is matched only by the excitement of being part of such a landmark event. Sessions for the home teams are already scheduled for May 2-3 at the OVO Arena Wembley, and fans are being urged to keep an eye on official channels for updates and ticket information. The prospect of facing the likes of China and Japan so early in the tournament is daunting, but as any sports fan knows, upsets are always possible in the heat of competition.

As the world’s best prepare to descend on London, the anticipation is electric. The Swaythling and Corbillon Cups will soon be up for grabs, and with so many nations vying for supremacy, it’s anyone’s guess who will emerge victorious. Will the traditional powerhouses assert their dominance, or will a new contender rise to the occasion and etch their name into the history books?

With the draw now set and the countdown officially underway, teams are fine-tuning their preparations and fans are marking their calendars. The 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships will not only crown new champions but also celebrate a century of sporting excellence, unity, and the unbreakable spirit of competition.

As the lights dimmed on The Shard and the last names were drawn, one thing was clear: London is ready, the world is watching, and the stage is set for a table tennis spectacle unlike any other. Let the games begin!