From February 6 to 8, 2026, the cream of French badminton will meet in Caen for the French Championships. A competition which will, once again, have a strong Provençal accent. The Badminton Club of Fos-sur-Mer arrives in Normandy with its stars: the Popov brothers and the talented Elsa Jacob, all ready to win medals this time again.
It is a “battle of the titans” which is announced in Caen. With exceptional density this year (three French people in the world Top 20), the competition promises to be fierce, especially as the format has been tightened to guarantee shocks from the quarter-finals.
Christo Popov, “the man to beat”
In men’s singles, all eyes will be on Christo Popov. The youngest of the siblings arrives with giant status: crowned in December during the prestigious World Tour Finalshe is logically seeded n°1. Already a three-time French champion (2020, 2022, 2024), he intends to recover his crown.
But the threat could come from his own brother, Toma Junior Popov (titled in 2023). If logic is respected, Christo will have to get rid of Arnaud Merkle in the half, “Tomi” would have a lot to do in the other part of the table against the defending champion and local of the stage, Alex Lanier. A potential fraternal shock in the final is on everyone’s mind.
Doubles: the four-way pass for the brothers?
Never satisfied, the Popov brothers also put their title on the line in men’s doubles. Winners together in 2022, 2024 and 2025, they are the overwhelming favorites.
Be careful though, the road to gold could cross that of another Fossean: William Villeger (associated with Julien Maio), champions in 2023, who are serious candidates.
Elsa Jacob aims for doubles double
Among the ladies, Fos-sur-Mer also has serious advantages. 2024 French champion in mixed doubles, Elsa Jacob returns with great ambitions.
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In Women’s Doubles: seeded n°2 with her partner Flavie Vallet, the Fosséenne is a very serious contender for the title.
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In Mixed Doubles: associated this year with Natan Begga, she will have a journey strewn with pitfalls, being able to meet her former title partner, Tom Lalot Trescarte, in the quarter.
Also titled in Interclubs (Top 12) in 2024, the Badminton Club of Fos wants to confirm, year after year, that it is indeed the stronghold of shuttlecock in France. Response on the courts on Sunday February 8 for the finals.
The complete tables for the French championships can be discovered here.
photo archive BadmintonPhoto
