The 2026 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships are set to be a landmark event, not only celebrating the centenary of the tournament but also showcasing Africa’s rising influence in global table tennis. Leading the charge will be Nigeria and Egypt, with both nations sending strong teams to compete in London from April 28 to May 10.
Nigeria and Egypt’s Dominance in African Table Tennis
Both Nigeria and Egypt have been dominant forces in African table tennis, and their participation in this prestigious event further cements their status as powerhouses on the continent.
The official draw ceremony for the championships, set to take place at The Shard in London, will finalize the matchups, but the stakes are high. This year’s tournament will be the first time that 12 African teams will compete in the men’s division, and 11 African teams will represent the continent in the women’s competition. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the sport’s development on the continent.
Africa’s Full Representation
Alongside Nigeria and Egypt, the men’s division will feature other African countries such as Benin, Tunisia, Algeria, Togo, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Angola. For the women, additional African countries include Ghana, Madagascar, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 2026 edition of the ITTF World Championships will be historic not just for the intensity of the competition but also for its significant milestone—the centenary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), which first held the tournament in England in 1926. The event promises to be an exciting display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship as African teams battle for global supremacy.
Qualification and Format
Of the 64 teams in each category, 52 teams per gender have qualified through continental championships, while 11 teams earned their spots via the November 2025 world rankings. The host nation, England, will complete the 64-team roster.
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The competition will follow a three-stage format. Stage 1B will feature group stages to determine the qualification pathways, followed by Stage 1A for seeding matches for the top-ranked teams. Stage 2 will bring the thrilling knockout rounds, where the world’s finest will compete for global honors.
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