Thomas Cup champions Indonesia, who regained the trophy last year after a 19-year wait, find themselves in a tricky group as they prepare to defend their title next month.

The 14-time champions will expect a feisty challenge from Thailand, who will be fired up on home turf, besides Korea and Singapore.

The draw for the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2022, which will be held in Bangkok during 8-15 May, was conducted in the host city today by BWF in the presence of host officials and sponsors. The 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions, seeded according to the combined ranking points of their three top singles and two doubles pairs as of 22 February 2022, were drawn by lot into four groups.

China, runners-up at the last Thomas Cup, will have to contend with 2016 champions Denmark, France and African champions Algeria in Group B.

In the Uber Cup, 15-time champions China face off against Chinese Taipei, Spain and Australia in Group B, while Japan, who lost to China in a thrilling final last year, have been grouped with Indonesia, France and Germany.

In his message, BWF President Poul-Erik Hoyer said: “I’m thrilled that we are in Bangkok four years after we lasted hosted the World Team Championships. The TotalEnergies BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals represent the pinnacle of men’s and women’s team competitions. There’s a lot at stake as the top teams in the world face off against each other. Thank you to Badminton Association of Thailand and all the Thai authorities for enabling the hosting of this time-honoured event.”

IOC member and BWF Deputy President KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul – also the President of Badminton Association of Thailand – welcomed all the participants to Thailand and thanked BWF for entrusting BAT with the opportunity of hosting the Thomas & Uber Cup Finals for the second time in four years.

Watch the draw ceremony here.