London, United Kingdom Apr 28 – May 10 2026
Source: https://www.ittf.com/
The 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London is a landmark centenary edition, marking 100 years since the very first World Championships were held in the city in 1926.
As of today, May 6, 2026, the tournament is currently in full swing, having transitioned from the group stages into the high-stakes knockout rounds.
🏓 Event Overview
- Dates: April 28 – May 10, 2026
- Venues: * Copper Box Arena: Hosted the Stage 1B group matches (completed).
- OVO Arena Wembley: Currently hosting Stage 1A and all Stage 2 Knockout Rounds through to the Finals.
- Format: 64 Men’s and 64 Women’s teams competing for the Swaythling and Corbillon Cups.
🏆 Current Tournament Status (May 4, 2026)
The competition has reached the Round of 32. The preliminary “Stage 1” matches have concluded with some massive upsets that have reshaped the bracket.
- The China Shock: In a historic turn of events over the weekend, the defending champion Chinese Men’s team suffered back-to-back defeats in Stage 1A against South Korea (3–1) and Sweden (3–2). This is the first time in 26 years China has looked this vulnerable in a team event.
- England’s Progress: Both the England Men’s and Women’s teams are in action today (May 4) in the Round of 32. The Women face Ukraine, while the Men are scheduled to take on Moldova.
- Broadcasting: In the UK, you can catch live coverage across the BBC and talkSPORT, with global streaming available via World Table Tennis (WTT).
🗓️ Upcoming Key Dates
| Date | Round | Venue |
| May 4–5 | Round of 32 | OVO Arena Wembley |
| May 6 | Round of 16 | OVO Arena Wembley |
| May 7–8 | Quarter-Finals | OVO Arena Wembley |
| May 9 | Semi-Finals | OVO Arena Wembley |
| May 10 | Finals Day | OVO Arena Wembley |
Note for Spectators: If you are heading to Wembley this week, be aware of Transport for London (TfL) closures on the Metropolitan line affecting travel to the arena today. Additionally, road closures are expected on Finals Day (May 10) due to the National League Promotion Final taking place at the neighboring Wembley Stadium.
Luxembourg at the ITTF Table Tennis World Team Championships
Luxembourg has been one of the standout “surprise packages” of the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London. The women’s team, in particular, has captured the spotlight with a historic run into the knockout stages.
Women’s Team: A Historic Knockout Run
The Luxembourgish women’s team pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament during the Round of 32 on May 5th.
- The Match: Luxembourg defeated Brazil 3–2 in a tense, back-and-forth battle, avenging their loss from the 2024 edition.
- The Heroics: * Ni Xia Lian: The 62-year-old legend proved she is still world-class, defeating Giulia Takahashi in a grueling five-game match to level the tie.
- Enisa Sadikovic: Secured a vital point by edging out Laura Watanabe in a tight contest.
- Sarah De Nutte: After losing her opening match to Bruna Takahashi, De Nutte returned for the high-pressure deciding fifth match and delivered a clinical 3–0 sweep against Giulia Takahashi to clinch the victory.
- Next Opponent: Luxembourg has advanced to the Round of 16, where they are scheduled to face the powerhouse Japan.
Men’s Team: Group Stage Performance
The Luxembourgish men’s team competed in Group 8 alongside Croatia, Serbia, and Qatar.
- Result: While they showed competitive spirit, the men’s team faced a challenging group. They did not mirror the women’s success in advancing deep into the knockout brackets, as the top spots in Group 8 were heavily contested by the higher-seeded European sides.
Luxembourg Squad – London 2026
| Player | Team |
| Ni Xia Lian | Women’s Team |
| Sarah De Nutte | Women’s Team |
| Enisa Sadikovic | Women’s Team |
| Luka Mladenovic | Men’s Team |
| Eric Glod | Men’s Team |
The focus now remains on the women’s team as they prepare for their massive clash against Japan at the OVO Arena Wembley.
The Luxembourgish women’s team has just completed their Round of 16 match against Japan. It was a historic encounter at the OVO Arena Wembley, given the age gap and the high stakes of the centenary championships.
Match Result: Luxembourg vs. Japan (Round of 16)
Final Score: Japan 3–0 Luxembourg
While the scoreline suggests a sweep, the matches were highly competitive, especially considering Luxembourg was facing the tournament’s second seeds.
- Match 1: Hina Hayata vs. Ni Xia Lian In a clash of styles, the world number five, Hina Hayata, managed to overcome the defensive guile of the 62-year-old Ni Xia Lian. Ni pushed the opening game to a deuce, but Hayata’s speed eventually took its toll, winning 3–0 (12-10, 11-7, 11-5).
- Match 2: Miwa Harimoto vs. Sarah De Nutte The young sensation Miwa Harimoto faced Sarah De Nutte. De Nutte utilized her powerful backhand to take the second game, but Harimoto’s relentless attacking pressure secured the win for Japan 3–1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8).
- Match 3: Miu Hirano vs. Enisa Sadikovic The tie was sealed by Miu Hirano, who defeated Enisa Sadikovic in straight games 3–0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-3).
Luxembourg’s Final Standings
Despite the exit today, the Luxembourgish women leave London having achieved one of their best-ever results at a World Team Championship:
- Final Position: Top 16 in the world.
- Highlight: The dramatic 3–2 victory over Brazil in the Round of 32 remains the peak of their tournament, where Sarah De Nutte held her nerve in the deciding fifth match.
- Individual Merit: Ni Xia Lian received a standing ovation from the London crowd at Wembley for her performances throughout the week, further cementing her status as a global icon of the sport.
The team is expected to remain in London for the remainder of the week to support the local clinics and centenary celebrations hosted by the ITTF.
