Aruna faces tough draw as Africa targets ITTF World Cup glory

Quadri Aruna has been handed a tough path as he spearheads Africa’s campaign at the 2026 ITTF World Cup in Macao from March 30 to April 5.

This year’s edition holds added prestige as the International Table Tennis Federation celebrates its centenary, with 48 men’s and 48 women’s singles players competing for the coveted Evans and Hammarlund Cups.

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Aruna, the only African to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014 in Düsseldorf, faces a stern Group 6 challenge against Tomislav Pucar and Sora Matsushima. The Nigerian begins his campaign against Pucar on Monday.

African Contenders Face Stern Tests

Elsewhere, Omar Assar headlines Group 5, where he is joined by Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju.

Algeria’s Stephane Ouaiche, making his debut, will contend with France’s Simon Gauzy and China’s Wen Ruibo in Group 15.

Women’s Draw Packed with Heavyweights

In the women’s competition, African champion Hana Goda targets an improved finish after reaching the last 16 in 2025. She faces Cheng I-Ching and Macao’s Leong On Na in Group 14.

Former champion Dina Meshref has perhaps the toughest assignment, drawn against world No. 1 Sun Yingsha and Lin Yu-Jhun in Group 1.

Mariam Alhodaby will compete in Group 12 against Germany’s Sabine Winter and Wales’ Anna Hursey, while Algeria’s teenage prospect Tania Morice faces Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi and Romania’s Bernadette Szocs in Group 16.