We are in the heart of May 2026, and London has once again become the world capital of table tennis. This is no coincidence: the OVO Arena Wembley is currently hosting the World Team Championships, marking exactly the 100th anniversary of the competition's creation, which was born in this very city in 1926.

A return to roots in London

A century ago, the first world tournament was played in front of a handful of enthusiasts. Today, the event has changed dimension, but the emotion remains special. Organizing this centenary in London allows us to measure how far the sport has come, evolving from a parlor pastime to an ultra-demanding Olympic discipline.

Competition update as of May 7

As I write these lines, we are entering the critical quarter-final phase. The global hierarchy is being shaken up, even if the major nations are holding their ground:

• Chinese domination: As expected, China is leading the way, but not by as much as one might think! Pressure from European teams is mounting.

• European momentum: Driven by the dynamic of the Lebrun brothers, the French team is confirming its status as a serious podium contender. However, Sweden and Germany are clearly not far behind.

• Overall level: In 2026, we are observing increasingly strong technical homogeneity. Asian nations are losing some of their lead.

A century of technical evolution

This centenary is also an opportunity to observe how much equipment has transformed the game. Between the raw wooden rackets of 1926 and the ultra-sophisticated rubbers of 2026, ball speed has multiplied. Today's game prioritizes explosiveness and early ball contact. Yet, despite this acceleration, the fundamental principles remain the same: spin control and stress management. The tributes paid to former champions during this London fortnight remind us that, despite modernity, the soul of ping-pong still lies in the ability to hide one's intentions behind every serve.

The future of table tennis after 2026

These London Worlds are not just a celebration of the past, but also a showcase for the future. The integration of new technologies for refereeing and immersive video broadcasting shows that table tennis intends to continue appealing to a young audience. After a century of official existence, the discipline seems never to have been so dynamic, supported by an international scene that is more open than ever. The rest of the competition promises to be electric until the final scheduled for this weekend.