Horsens, Denmark – The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has officially announced the 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams set to compete in the 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup, the most prestigious team event in badminton. The tournament will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24th to May 3rd, 2026.
Teams have earned their places through a rigorous qualification process involving continental team championships. Additional berths were awarded based on the reigning champion, the winner of the previous edition, and world ranking. The upcoming competition promises a high level of play as nations vie for supremacy in both the men’s Thomas Cup and the women’s Uber Cup.
Thomas Cup Lineup Takes Shape
In the men’s competition, qualification spots for the Thomas Cup were allocated to the semifinalists of the Asian and European Team Championships, the champions of Africa, Pan America, and Oceania, as well as the host nation and the defending champions. Several other countries completed the participant list based on their world ranking.
The seeding for the Thomas Cup will be determined by the accumulated world ranking points of each country’s three top-ranked men’s singles players and two best men’s doubles pairings as of February 17th, 2026. The defending champions, China, secured the top seed with a total of 390,513 points. Japan, the reigning Asian champions, are seeded fourth with 304,891 points, while France earned the fifth seed thanks to their status as the current European Team Championships winners.
Additional teams qualifying through regional championships include Algeria (Africa), Australia (Oceania), and Canada (Pan America). Malaysia, India, and Thailand rounded out the field based on their world rankings.
Uber Cup Participants Confirmed
The women’s competition also saw a competitive qualification process. Bulgaria made history by winning their first-ever European Women’s Team Championship, securing their spot in the Uber Cup. Denmark finished as runners-up in the European Championships, also qualifying for the tournament, while Ukraine and Turkey reached the semifinals.
From the Asian region, South Korea emerged as the Asian champions and secured a place in the finals, followed by China as the second-placed team and the defending Uber Cup champions. Chinese Taipei and Indonesia also advanced after reaching the semifinals. South Africa (Africa), Canada (Pan America), and Australia (Oceania) confirmed their spots as champions of their respective regions.
The remaining Uber Cup quota spots were filled based on world rankings, with Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and France completing the lineup.
The BWF’s announcement confirms a diverse and competitive field for both the Thomas and Uber Cups. The tournament in Horsens is expected to draw significant attention from badminton fans worldwide, showcasing the highest level of international team play.
For fans planning to attend or follow the action, the tournament will run from April 24th to May 3rd, 2026, in Horsens, Denmark. The BWF website (https://bwfbadminton.com/tournament/5600/bwf-thomas-uber-cup-finals-2026/info) will provide detailed schedules, results, and live streaming information as the event approaches. BWF TV will also be broadcasting matches throughout the tournament. (https://bwfthomasubercups.bwfbadminton.com/)
The upcoming Thomas & Uber Cup promises thrilling competition and a showcase of badminton talent from around the globe. With the defending champions, rising stars, and established powerhouses all vying for the title, the tournament is set to be a highlight of the 2026 badminton calendar.
The next key date for teams will be the release of the full tournament schedule and draw, expected in the weeks leading up to the event. Fans can stay updated on the BWF website and official social media channels for the latest news and information.
