India Drawn with China in Thomas & Uber Cup 2026 Group Stage

The Indian men’s and women’s badminton teams have been drawn in Group A alongside defending champions China for the upcoming Thomas & Uber Cup, scheduled to take place in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3, 2026. The draw was announced by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Wednesday.

Thomas Cup: A Familiar Challenge for India

India’s men’s team, which made history by winning their maiden Thomas Cup title in 2022 , faces a challenging Group A that likewise includes Canada and Australia. The team lost to China in the quarterfinals of the previous edition in 2024 . Despite this, they are considered favorites to advance to the quarterfinals, particularly given their performance in the 2022 tournament where they defeated Indonesia 3-0 in the final, becoming only the sixth nation to lift the trophy .

Uber Cup: Tough Road Ahead for Indian Women

The Indian women’s team also finds themselves in a competitive Group A, facing the formidable challenge of 16-time champions China, hosts Denmark, and Ukraine. India previously exited in the quarterfinals of the 2024 edition . However, the team is expected to leverage their strength in doubles, featuring players like Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, and Tanisha Crasto, to compete effectively. Rising stars Tanvi Sharma and Devika Sihag, alongside PV Sindhu, are anticipated to lead the singles charge .

China’s Dominance in Badminton

China currently holds the Sudirman Cup, Uber Cup, and Thomas Cup concurrently for the first time since 2012 . The Chinese men’s team boasts a strong lineup, including Shi Yu Qi and Li Shi Feng . India’s Lakshya Sen, a semi-finalist at the Paris 2024 games, recently defeated Li Shi Feng at the All England Championships, providing a boost of confidence for the Indian team .

Tournament Format

The Thomas & Uber Cup is badminton’s equivalent of a team World Cup, with 16 teams competing in each competition . Teams are divided into four groups of four, playing a round-robin format. Each tie consists of five matches: three singles and two doubles. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.

Squad Selection

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) will announce the final squads for both the Thomas and Uber Cup competitions in the coming weeks .