French badminton player Christo Popov will become the world number one in men’s singles after winning the Internationaux de France on October 25, 2026, at Tremblay. The 24-year-old athlete defeated Indonesia’s Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah 21-11, 14-21, 21-13 in the final to secure the top spot, marking a historic first for French badminton.
Popov entered the Super 750 tournament ranked third in the global standings behind Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. By winning the tournament on home soil in front of 5,000 spectators, Popov will surpass Vitidsarn when the new rankings are published. The victory caps a successful 2026 season for the Fos-sur-Mer native, who also won the European singles title in April and an Open title in Japan in July.
Tournament Path And Final Match In Tremblay
Popov navigated a nearly flawless tournament path in Seine-Saint-Denis, dropping only two sets across his matches. In the final against Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah, the Frenchman controlled the opening game before losing the second as his opponent found his rhythm. Galvanized by the home crowd, Popov rebounded in the decisive third game to close out the match.
CHRISTO POPOV, ROI DU BADMINTON !Le Français va devenir le numéro 1 mondial grâce à sa victoire aux Internationaux de France ! Aucun Tricolore n'avait occupé cette place avant lui #lequipeBADMINTON pic.twitter.com/AHA1GWRhJt
Ubaidillah entered the final ranked 28th in the world but pulled off a major upset in the semifinals by defeating world champion Alex Lanier. Popov acknowledged the significance of the win at home, telling the television channel L’Équipe that achieving the victory and the top ranking simultaneously in France felt like a dream scenario. Following the match, Popov celebrated on the podium alongside his family, including his father and coach, Toma.
French Badminton Rises To Global Prominence
Popov’s ascent to the world number one ranking adds to a breakthrough year for French badminton, coming two months after Alex Lanier and the mixed doubles pair of Thomas Gicquel and Delphine Delrue claimed world titles. Popov previously became the first Frenchman to win the World Tour Finals in December 2025 and climbed to number two in the world rankings in August 2026.
Popov’s consistency and mental approach have driven his rise through the international circuit. The player stated that he no longer feels obsessed by single match outcomes, viewing losses as moments when an opponent simply played better on the day. Popov’s victory firmly establishes France as a rising powerhouse in international badminton competition.
Additional Background And Match Details
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Sofia native had previously been beaten in the final of the Internationaux de France the previous year. Before taking the court for the final, Christo warmed up with his older brother, Toma Junior, who had been eliminated in the quarterfinals by Alex Lanier.
