The list of qualified players/pairs and reserves for the BWF World Championships 2026 is finalised ahead of the tournament to be held in New Delhi from 17-23 August 2026.
The defending champions in all five categories have confirmed their participation. While three of the five defending champions (Shi Yu Qi, Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae and Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning) have qualified in the top spot, Akane Yamaguchi (women’s singles) has qualified in third place and Chen Tang Jie/Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) have qualified in fourth.
The qualification was based on the World Ranking date of 28 April 2026 and followed regulations in BWF Statutes 5.3.9.
There are 64 qualifiers each in men’s singles and women’s singles, and 48 pairs in each of the three doubles events.
Emerging powerhouse France has three qualifiers in men’s singles – the same number as China, Japan and Denmark.
The top ranked player/pair from each of the five Continental Confederations and the hosts are guaranteed one spot in every category. In women’s singles, for example, while An Se Young (Asia), Michelle Li (Pan Am), Mia Blichfeldt (Europe), Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi (Africa) and Shaunna Li (Oceania) are the top representatives from their continent, India’s spot as host has been taken by 2019 world champion Pusarla V Sindhu.
A Member Association can field a maximum of four players/pairs if they are all ranked within the top eight of the World Rankings; three players/pairs if they are ranked in the top 24; or two players/pairs if they are ranked in the top 150 on the eligibility date.
Additionally, a reserves list has been published in each category, and any withdrawals will be filled from this list, provided that the maximum number of any Member Association in a category does not exceed four.