The World Cup features a two-stage format that will see 48 elite players compete across 16 groups, ultimately leading to a single champion. 

The playing system has been designed to ensure every match and every point matters. From the opening group matches to the final point, players need to perform at their peak. 

Stage 1: The Group Battles 

The tournament begins with 16 groups of three players each. Using the World Rankings as the seeding basis, the highest-ranked player enters Group 1, the second highest in Group 2, and so on, with remaining players distributed via a modified snake system. 

What makes this format particularly compelling is the strategic match order within each group: 

• Round 1: Player #2 vs Player #3 

• Round 2: Player #1 vs the loser of the first match 

• Round 3: Player #1 vs the winner of the first match 

This sequencing ensures that the final group match always carries significance. Even the top seed faces pressure immediately, having to adapt their strategy based on earlier results. 

Each group match consists of 4 games, with possible outcomes of 4-0, 3-1, or 2-2. This  format creates intensity from the very first point, as players can’t afford a slow start. In a system where final ranking can come down to the ratio of wins to losses in games and then points, every point counts! 

Stage 2: The Knockout Drama 

Only the winners of each group advance to Stage 2, where the tournament transforms into a single-elimination bracket of 16 players. Here’s where strategic positioning comes into play: 

• The Group 1 winner gets placed at position 1 (top seed) 

• The Group 2 winner goes to position 16 (bottom seed) 

• Group 3 and 4 winners are drawn into positions 8 and 9 

• Remaining group winners are randomly distributed 

The knockout stage raises the stakes with best-of-seven matches, providing fans with extended encounters between the tournament’s elite performers. After four intense knockout rounds, a single player will emerge victorious and be crowned the ITTF World Cup Champion. 

Follow all the action live on ITTF.com and our social media channels, where we’ll provide in-depth coverage, match analysis, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the tournament. 

Will we see a repeat champion, or a new name etched on the prestigious ITTF World Cup trophies? The tournament’s carefully balanced playing system ensures we’ll witness both established stars and emerging talents battling for supremacy in what promises to be an unforgettable competition.