A record-extending 17^th Uber Cup title beckons for China as they head to the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026.

With a team comprising of, among others, Wang Zhi Yi, Chen Yu Fei, Liu Sheng Shu, Tan Ning and Jia Yi Fan, China carry an air of invincibility. It will require an upset of epic proportions for China to be denied their 17^th – and yet, the Uber Cup does have instances when the raging favourites stumbled.

China would not have to look in the distant past. The last team to deny them the title was Korea in 2022 – with a team similar to the one that will be fielded in Horsens. If anything, Korea are stronger, for An Se Young then was not as complete a player as she is now. With strength both in singles (Kim Ga Eun, Sim Yu Jin), and doubles, Korea will fancy their chances of going all the way to the title once again.

The challenge in their group (Group D) comes from Thailand. While the Thais have reasonable strength in singles, led by Pornpawee Chochuwong, Ratchanok Intanon and Supanida Katethong, their doubles hasn’t done well in recent months. Team events however offer opportunities for tweaking existing partnerships, and Thailand do have the personnel that can take the team far.

Potential Thriller: India vs Denmark

Before getting into the business end of the competition, the Chinese will face off against India, Denmark and Ukraine. Going by form, the defending champions are unlikely to even feel a wobble.

The big battle in Group A is likely to be India versus Denmark. India have a transitional team of youngsters who will look up to Pusarla V. Sindhu to lead the way. While the singles do hold out promise (Sindhu, Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Devika Sihag, Isharani Baruah), the doubles looks far more vulnerable, particularly with the absence of Treesa Jolly/Gayatri Gopichand Pullela.

Denmark have experience and strength in singles (Mia Blichfeldt, Line Christophersen and Line Kjaersfeldt), but the doubles haven’t shone recently – although, with players like Alexandra Boje, Christine Busch, Amalie Kudsk, they hold the edge over India.

Group of Death

Of the four groups, Group C could be the most unpredictable, with Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Canada in the reckoning.

While Chinese Taipei is shorn of stars, they have a balanced squad with both singles and doubles performing well, if not consistently enough.

Indonesia will bank heavily on Putri Kusuma Wardani in first singles. Their doubles consists of Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilsya Trias Puspitasari, and they have options with Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti and Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi. With Gregoria Mariska Tunjung missing, they will need Wardani to lead the way. Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, having missed most of last season due to injury, is back in the squad.

In the same level as Korea are Japan, who have an impressive lineup, with some of their younger singles players having gained experience. While Akane Yamaguchi remains the linchpin, she can look to Tomoka Miyazaki, Riko Gunji and Hina Akechi to provide strong backup. Japan also have depth in doubles, with Yuki Fukushima/Mayu Matsumoto, Rin Iwanaga/Kie Nakanishi and Arisa Igarashi/Chiharu Shida.

Japan are unlikely to be threatened in Group B (Malaysia, Turkiye, South Africa). Malaysia were dealt a blow with Pearly Tan missing out due to injury, and it will be an opportunity for the young players to make a statement.

Keep an Eye Out for…

Canada have a strong look about them, with Michelle Li, Wen Yu Zhang and Rachel Chan in singles, and choice in doubles with the likes of Josephine Wu, Catherine Choi, Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai. The Canadians could well be the surprise package of the tournament.

Bulgaria stole a march over Denmark at the European Championships, making history by winning the event for the first time. This they did with contributions from Kaloyana Nalbantova and Stefani Stoeva in singles, and Gabriela Stoeva/Stefani Stoeva in doubles. Korea and Thailand in Group D will be cautious against the European champions.