Which teams have the strongest squads? 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup breakdown

By Lee Seng Foo 10 hours ago

The 2026 Thomas & Uber Cup Finals will take place in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3, with defending champions China once again entering as the team to beat in both competitions.

In the Thomas Cup, China have named a near full-strength squad, with only two doubles players ranked outside the top 20. While that slightly impacts their overall men’s doubles average, their depth across both singles and doubles still sets the benchmark for the rest of the field.

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Japan, Chinese Taipei and Indonesia remain close challengers with well-balanced line-ups, while Malaysia stand out in particular for their strength in men’s doubles, arguably fielding the most formidable unit in the competition.

In the Uber Cup, China again lead the way, with all but one of their players ranked inside the world’s top 10, a reflection of their depth and consistency in the women’s game. Japan and Chinese Taipei come closest to matching that level, but still lack the same overall balance across the squad.

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The margins between the leading teams may appear clear, but team events often hinge on match-ups, form and composure under pressure rather than rankings alone. The following tables break down how each squad shapes up ahead of the tournament.

Thomas Cup

Team	Total Players	Avg MS Ranking	Avg MD Ranking	Group
China	10	11.0	82.0	A
India	10	29.4	19.0	A
Canada	10	328.0	143.0	A
Australia	7	668.6	363.1	A
Japan	10	20.4	21.7	B
Malaysia	10	49.5	5.0	B
England	10	372.0	82.7	B
Finland	6	479.8	930.2	B
Chinese Taipei	10	16.8	16.3	C
Denmark	10	31.8	24.3	C
South Korea	10	104.3	55.0	C
Sweden	10	448.8	407.4	C
Indonesia	10	26.5	9.0	D
France	10	31.3	45.0	D
Thailand	10	143.3	50.3	D
Algeria	5	815.5	274.0	D

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Uber Cup

Team	Total Players	Avg WS Ranking	Avg WD Ranking	Group
China	10	26.8	4.7	A
India	10	70.5	258.4	A
Denmark	10	28.8	343.0	A
Ukraine	8	374.1	199.0	A
Japan	10	21.6	10.0	B
Malaysia	10	224.0	93.2	B
Türkiye	8	106.7	261.2	B
South Africa	5	600.3	357.4	B
Chinese Taipei	10	24.5	15.0	C
Indonesia	10	84.8	22.7	C
Canada	9	322.6	187.7	C
Australia	6	470.0	240.0	C
South Korea	10	74.3	30.8	D
Thailand	10	10.8	292.7	D
Bulgaria	9	201.6	295.7	D
Spain	9	205.7	201.0	D

Jorge Martin: From Heaven to Hell

Coming into the season as the reigning World Champion, the Spaniard endured a nightmare year, as injury derailed his debut campaign with Aprilia

MotoGP

5 fun facts ahead of 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

After an early reshuffle in the calendar that saw the Qatar Grand Prix pushed to November, the 2026 MotoGP season resumes in full force as the paddock heads to Europe, kicking off with the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto. Three rounds are already in the books, with Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing setting the early pace through a dominant start to the campaign. But as the European leg begins, historical trends, home pressure and shifting team form could all come into play. Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, live on SPOTV NOW, here are five key facts to know.

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The Grand Prix with the most home riders

Spain remains the backbone of the MotoGP grid, with nine Spanish riders in the premier class alone, headlined by reigning world champion Marc Márquez, alongside the likes of Jorge Martín, Maverick Viñales and Álex Márquez. Across Moto2 and Moto3, that number increases even further, effectively making Jerez a home race for a significant portion of the paddock.

Home advantage doesn’t guarantee victory

Despite the heavy Spanish presence, success for home riders at Jerez is far from guaranteed. Since the MotoGP era began in 2002, non-Spanish riders have actually won more often than not, accounting for 13 of the last 24 editions. The trend extends to the support classes, with non-Spaniards claiming 13 wins in Moto2 and 14 in Moto3 over the same period.

Ducati searching for a response

Ducati Lenovo Team arrive at Jerez under unusual pressure. The factory outfit have not secured a Sunday podium since their one-two finish at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, with Marc Márquez’s injury and Francesco Bagnaia’s late-season DNFs contributing to the slump. That drought has now extended into the new season, reaching eight races, their longest podium-less run since 2020, when they went five races without a top-three finish. Jerez represents a crucial opportunity to halt the slide and respond to Aprilia’s early dominance.

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First one-rider team entry of the season

Red Bull KTM Tech3 will line up with just one rider this weekend, after confirming that both Maverick Viñales and replacement Pol Espargaró will miss the Spanish Grand Prix. That leaves Enea Bastianini as the team’s sole representative, making it an unusual scenario in modern MotoGP, where two-bike entries are the norm. The last comparable case came at the 2025 Czech Grand Prix, when Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing fielded only Fabio Di Giannantonio due to Franco Morbidelli’s injury.

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Rookies Cup spotlight on future stars

The 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season gets underway at Jerez, running alongside the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. The junior series has long served as a key pathway to the top level, with a significant portion of today’s grid graduating from the programme. Notable alumni include inaugural winner Johann Zarco, 2024 MotoGP champion Jorge Martín and three-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu. This year’s grid once again features emerging talents, including Indonesia’s Kiandra Ramadhipa and Thailand’s Kiattisak Singhapong, offering a glimpse of the sport’s next generation on one of its biggest stages.

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By Lee Seng Foo

3 days ago

Al Nassr vs Al Hilal vs Al Ahli: How the three-way Saudi Pro League title race stands

The 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title race is entering its decisive stretch, with Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli all still in contention as the season approaches its climax. While Al Nassr hold a commanding lead, the congested run-in, fixture difficulty and continental commitments could yet reshape the standings. With direct clashes still to come and little margin for error, every point could prove decisive.

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As the title race unfolds on SPOTV NOW, here are how things currently stand.

Al Nassr (76 points)

Final five games: Al Ahli (H), Al Qadsiah (A), Al Shabab (A), Al Hilal (H), Damac (H) Cristiano Ronaldo looks on course to secure his first league title with Al Nassr, as his side hold an eight-point lead, albeit having played one game more than their closest rivals. They arrive at the run-in in formidable form, having won 15 consecutive league matches and 18 in all competitions, establishing themselves as the team to beat. However, their title credentials will face a stern examination in the closing weeks. Three of their remaining five fixtures come against top-four opposition, including decisive clashes against Al Ahli (April 29) and Al Hilal (May 12). In addition, their AFC Champions League Two commitments could stretch the squad and test their ability to maintain momentum across two fronts.

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Al Hilal (68 points)

Final six games: Damac (H), Al Hazem (A), Al Khaleej (A), Al Nassr (A), Neom (H), Al Fayha (A) Simone Inzaghi’s side have shown signs of inconsistency in recent weeks, but their relatively favourable run-in keeps them firmly in the title picture. Aside from the crucial showdown against Al Nassr (May 12), their remaining fixtures are against teams currently outside the top seven, offering a clear opportunity to build momentum and apply pressure on the leaders. Their exit from the AFC Champions League Elite at the hands of Qatar's Al Sadd could prove a blessing in disguise, allowing them to focus fully on domestic matters. With their only non-league action left being the King’s Cup final against Al Kholood, whom they beat 6-0 in early April, Al Hilal may have the freshest squad heading into the final stretch.

Al Ahli (66 points)

Final six games: Al Nassr (A), Al Akhdoud (H), Al Fateh (H), Al Taawoun (A), Al Kholood (H), Al Khaleej (A) Al Ahli remain outsiders in the title race, trailing Al Nassr by 10 points with six matches left to play, leaving them with little margin for error. Their immediate test comes in a high-stakes clash against the league leaders on April 29, a result that could either revive their slim hopes or effectively end their challenge. However, their priorities may lie elsewhere. With Riyad Mahrez and Co. reaching the AFC Champions League final after impressive wins over Johor Darul Ta’zim and Vissel Kobe, attention could shift towards securing continental silverware rather than mounting an unlikely domestic comeback.