The Indian men’s and women’s badminton teams have landed in tough groups for the upcoming Thomas Cup and Uber Cup, following the official draw announced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The tournaments—34th Thomas Cup and 31st Uber Cup—will be held in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3, 2026.
Men’s Team Faces China in Group A
India’s men’s team has been placed in Group A alongside:
- China (defending champions)
- Canada
- Australia
India, which created history by winning its maiden Thomas Cup title in 2022, will be aiming to bounce back after a quarterfinal exit in 2024, where they lost to eventual winners China.
Women’s Team Also Drawn Against China
The Indian women’s team faces a similarly tough challenge in the Uber Cup, also placed in Group A with:
- China (16-time champions)
- Denmark (hosts)
- Ukraine
India had exited in the quarterfinals in the last edition, losing to Japan.
China’s Strong Line-up a Major Test
China enter the tournament with a formidable squad, featuring top-ranked players such as:
- Shi Yu Qi (World No. 2)
- Li Shi Feng (World No. 7)
- Weng Hong Yang
- Lu Guang Zu
India’s Key Hope: Lakshya Sen
India will take confidence from the recent form of Lakshya Sen, who impressed with a runner-up finish at the All England Championships and notably defeated Li Shi Feng during the tournament.
The Paris 2024 semifinalist is expected to play a crucial role in India’s campaign.
Tournament Format Explained
- 16 teams divided into 4 groups of 4 teams each
- Round-robin format in group stage
- Each tie consists of:
- 3 singles matches
- 2 doubles matches
- Top 2 teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals
Full Draw Overview
Thomas Cup Groups:
- Group A: China, India, Canada, Australia
- Group B: Japan, Malaysia, England, Finland
- Group C: Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Korea, Sweden
- Group D: Indonesia, France, Thailand, Algeria
Uber Cup Groups:
- Group A: China, India, Denmark, Ukraine
- Group B: Japan, Malaysia, Turkey, South Africa
- Group C: Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, Canada, Australia
- Group D: Korea, Thailand, Bulgaria, Spain
Conclusion
With both teams drawn against powerhouse China, India face a stern test in their quest for glory. While the challenge is significant, recent performances and past success suggest that India has the potential to make a strong impact on the global stage once again.