Sharjah to host the first Badminton World Cup 2025

This World Cup will showcase badminton in a unique outdoor stadium that will be built in Sharjah, with the exact location still to be revealed. A total of 72 players from 12 different teams across five continents will compete. Each continent will be represented by the following number of teams: Asia (3 teams), Europe (3 teams), Africa (2 teams), North and South America (2 teams), Oceania (1 team), and the host country, the UAE (1 team).

The tournament will feature three main competitions: a team relay, a women's triathlon, and a men's triathlon. To qualify for the World Cup, teams need to participate in four regional tournaments around the globe: the Americas Championship in Lima, Peru, from April 12-13; the African Championship in Accra, Ghana, from July 3-6; the Asian/Oceanic Championship in Port Dickson, Malaysia, from August 8-10; and the European Championship in Baku, Azerbaijan, from September 5-7. The best team in the team relay from each regional tournament will earn a spot in the World Cup, while the triathlon teams will be formed by players from these qualifying teams. Notably, Venezuela and Brazil qualified last April!

Issa Hilal Al Hazami, the Chairman of the Sharjah Sports Council, expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah for his support of sports and athletes. He highlighted that hosting the upcoming badminton tournament in Sharjah will boost the city’s reputation worldwide, as it has a strong history of successfully organizing sports events. The Council aims to ensure the tournament is a success and to promote badminton among the local community, encouraging people to participate in both regional and international competitions.

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, the President of the Badminton World Federation, shared her excitement about Sharjah being chosen to host this important tournament's first edition. She views this as a significant step towards creating a comprehensive international badminton schedule by 2025. Leeswadtrakul mentioned that this tournament provides a unique chance to expand interest in badminton globally, especially for players from developing countries. It aims to create an inclusive environment where everyone can compete. She believes that the event will not only feature top-level competition but also offer a fun atmosphere with various recreational activities, appealing to new fans. With Sharjah’s experienced track record in organizing beach sports, she is confident that the Sharjah Sports Council will make the first tournament a memorable one.

Noura Al Jasmi, President of the UAE Badminton Federation, expressed pride in the UAE, particularly Sharjah, for being the first to host this world championship. She called it a historic moment for the sport and reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to enhancing the country’s reputation in the global sports arena. Al Jasmi is optimistic that this championship will uncover new talent, inspire future generations, and solidify the UAE’s status as a major sport destination.”