World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals:
Iranian teams learn opponents in milestone event in London
Iranian men’s and women’s teams learned their group opponents at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals, which will kick off in London on April 28.
The draw for the prestigious tournament took place on Monday at The Shard in London, setting the stage for a historic celebration of 100 years of World Championships.
The Iranian men’s team was drawn alongside Austria, Malaysia, and Togo in Group 13 of the B1 stage, while the women’s squad was given Thailand, Serbia, and Benin tests in B1 Group 8.
The 2026 edition marks an unprecedented milestone as the Word Championships returns to its birthplace. The Championships will feature 64 men’s and 64 women’s teams competing across 13 days at two iconic London venues.
Competition will unfold across three stages: Stage 1B features group stages determining qualification pathways, followed by Stage 1A seeding matches for the top-ranked teams, before Stage 2 delivers knockout rounds showcasing the world’s finest teams in pursuit of global supremacy.
“From London to London, we have come full circle,” ITTF President Petra Sörling said during Monday’s draw ceremony. “England has hosted the World Championships on seven occasions, but returning to where it all began makes this centenary edition truly special. This event is already historic, but I am confident it will also be unforgettable.”
In the men’s competition, reigning champion China was drawn alongside host nation England, five-time winner Sweden, and Korea Republic in Group 1. Winner of the last 11 editions, China will face stiff competition in what promises to be a highly competitive group.
France, silver medalist at the last edition, will face Japan, Germany and Chinese Taipei in Group 2 as it bids to lift the Swaythling Cup for the first time.
In the women’s draw, England was pitted against Japan, Germany and France in Group 2. China, a 23-time Corbillon Cup winner, headlines Group 1 where it will meet Korea Republic, Chinese Taipei and five-time champion Romania.
The top eight seeds in each competition will contest Stage 1A at OVO Arena Wembley on May 2-3, with all teams progressing to Stage 2. Their group performances will determine their seedings for the knockout rounds.
Stage 1B takes place at the Copper Box Arena from April 28 to May 1, where 56 teams in each competition will battle for the remaining 24 places in the main draw.