China reclaim Thomas Cup as South Korea stun Uber Cup favourites

Key facts

• China defeated France 3-1 in the Thomas Cup final on 3 May 2026 in Horsens, Denmark.
• South Korea beat China 3-1 in the Uber Cup final, winning their first women’s team title since 2010.
• Shi Yuqi beat Christo Popov 21-16, 16-21, 21-17 in the opening Thomas Cup rubber.
• Alex Lanier defeated Li Shifeng 21-13, 21-10 to level the Thomas Cup final for France.
• Weng Hongyang edged Toma Junior Popov 22-20, 20-22, 21-19 in the decisive third Thomas Cup match.
• China’s doubles pair He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu sealed the Thomas Cup with a 21-13, 21-16 win over Éloi Adam and Léo Rossi.
• China was seeking a 12th Thomas Cup title and a second consecutive win after 2024.
• South Korea’s only previous Uber Cup title came in 2010; they lost finals in 2012 and 2016 to China.

China’s men overcome French resistance in Horsens

China captured the Thomas Cup for the 12th time on Sunday, defeating a spirited French team 3-1 in the final at the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 in Horsens, Denmark. The victory extends China’s dominance in the men’s team event, adding to their 2024 title and moving them closer to Indonesia’s record 14 crowns. The final began with world No. 1 Shi Yuqi facing Christo Popov in a tightly contested opening rubber. Shi took the first game 21-16 with controlled aggression, but Popov raised his pace and variation in the second to level the match. In the decider, Shi tightened his net control and reduced unforced errors, dictating rallies from the front court to secure a 21-17 win and give China the early lead.

Lanier levels, then Weng delivers the turning point

France responded through Alex Lanier, who produced one of the standout performances of the final. Lanier defeated Li Shifeng in straight games, 21-13, 21-10, to level the tie at 1-1. The second singles rubber became the turning point of the final as Weng Hongyang faced Toma Junior Popov in a high-quality, nerve-filled contest marked by long rallies and momentum swings. Weng edged the first game 22-20 with precise shot placement under pressure. Popov responded by stealing the second game by the same scoreline, forcing a decider. In the third game, Weng displayed exceptional mental resilience, holding his composure in tight exchanges and capitalising on key mid-game points to close out the match 21-19, giving China a 2-1 lead.

Doubles pair seals the title for China

China’s doubles pair He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu stepped onto court needing to win to secure the championship. They delivered a composed performance against Éloi Adam and Léo Rossi, controlling the pace and finishing rallies efficiently to win 21-13, 21-16. The victory gave China an unassailable 3-1 lead and the Thomas Cup title. China’s path to the final included a 3-0 semifinal win over host nation Denmark, led by Shi Yuqi’s decisive 21-16, 21-5 victory over world No. 3 Anders Antonsen. Li Shifeng then sealed the semifinal with a hard-fought three-game win over Magnus Johannesen, 21-19, 18-21, 21-9. France reached the final by beating India 3-0, with Christo Popov defeating Ayush Shetty 21-11, 21-9.

South Korea end China’s Uber Cup reign

In the Uber Cup final, South Korea stunned the defending champions China with a 3-1 victory, claiming their first women’s team title since 2010. South Korea had previously reached the final in 2012 and 2016, losing both times to China. The win marks a significant shift in the women’s team landscape, as China had been seeking a 17th Uber Cup title. The result was a major upset, given China’s historical dominance in the women’s event. South Korea’s clinical performance in Horsens demonstrated their depth and tactical preparation, turning the tables on a Chinese team that had swept Japan in the semifinals.

Tournament format and broadcast details

The Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2026 took place from 24 April to 3 May in Horsens, Denmark. Sixteen teams per event were split into four groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. Each group-stage tie featured five individual matches, even if the overall result was decided early. From the knockout rounds, ties were played as best-of-five individual matches, ending as soon as one team won three rubbers. Each tie consisted of three singles and two doubles rubbers, alternating between singles and doubles. The tournament was live-streamed on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com and the official Olympics app, as well as on the BWF YouTube channel, subject to territorial restrictions. In Malaysia, Astro Badminton broadcast the competition.

What the results mean for badminton’s team landscape

China’s Thomas Cup victory reinforces their status as the premier men’s team in badminton, with 12 titles now second only to Indonesia’s 14. The win also marks a successful defence of the title they won in 2024, highlighting the depth of their men’s squad. For France, reaching the final and pushing China to the limit signals the rise of a new contender in the men’s team event, led by players like Christo Popov and Alex Lanier. In the women’s event, South Korea’s triumph breaks China’s stranglehold on the Uber Cup and suggests a more competitive future. China will now regroup as they look to reclaim the title in 2028, while South Korea will aim to build on this success.

The bottom line

• China won the Thomas Cup for the 12th time, defeating France 3-1 in the final in Horsens.
• South Korea upset China 3-1 in the Uber Cup final, winning their first women’s team title since 2010.
• Shi Yuqi and Weng Hongyang played pivotal roles in China’s Thomas Cup victory, with Weng winning a crucial three-game rubber.
• France’s Alex Lanier delivered a standout performance, beating Li Shifeng in straight games.
• The tournament was held in Horsens, Denmark, from 24 April to 3 May 2026, with live coverage on Olympic Channel and BWF YouTube.
• China’s Thomas Cup win is their second consecutive title, while South Korea’s Uber Cup victory ends a 16-year drought.