2026 World Youth Championships
Where: Istanbul, Turkey
When: 21st to 28th November 2026
Player availability known by: 11th September 2026
Players selected by: 30th September 2026
Approximate cost: TBC
Funding: User pays, TTNZ supported event. Deposit required on advice of selection.
Overview
Selection of any player(s) or team(s) for the World Youth Championships shall be at the sole and absolute discretion of TTNZ, which reserves the right to consider all relevant factors, including (but not limited to) player welfare in light of the final confirmed location of the event.
Players selected to represent New Zealand (NZ) at the 2026 World Youth Championships will be determined in accordance with the criteria set out below, subject to any necessary amendments to ensure alignment with ITTF eligibility regulations once formally published.
Criteria for all players:
- Only players eligible to represent New Zealand in all ITTF sanctioned events, including the ITTF World Youth Championships will be considered for selection.
- Eligibility is defined as: A player who meets all ITTF requirements ITTF 2024 Statutes; A NZ citizen who holds a NZ passport and has served any stand-down period as per ITTF regulations.
Criteria for singles selections:
- Any individual who makes a singles final (U15 Boys or Girls; U19 Boys or Girls) of the 2026 ITTF-Oceania Youth Championships will earn a continental position to compete at the World Youth Championships, as per the qualification pathway and event regulations.
- These place(s) will be confirmed once an official invitation is received from ITTF. The position of offer is not transferable to another player.
- Only players who have earned a singles spot at the World Youth Championships are eligible to play in doubles events, as per the World Youth Championships regulations.
Criteria for Team selections:
- If New Zealand win a team(s) event at the Oceania Youth Championships, they will earn a Team position for NZL to compete at the World Youth Championships.
- Any player selected for a NZ Team must be a member of the National Squad.
- TTNZ will select a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of four (4) players in a team. This is at the discretion of TTNZ and considering the criteria below.
- Any player(s) who has earned a place in the singles for the same gender and age group will be automatically selected as part of the team.
- E.g an U15 Girl who has earned a singles position will automatically be offered one of the places in the U15 Girls’ team should NZL earn an U15 Girls’ Team position.
- Additional team positions will be selected based on performance, behaviour and merit, including but not limited to;
- Any player(s) who has earned a place in the singles for the same gender and age group will be automatically selected as part of the team.
(i) Results at 2025 NZ Open Championships and 2026 tournaments up to the conclusion of August.
(ii) Activity and results of significance at international events, E.g., WTT tournaments.
(iii) Continental Championships and national level tournaments of ITTF member countries.
- Overseas based players may be considered on merit, if they have provided TTNZ with copies of their Individualised Performance Plan (IPP) and their 2026 Athlete Plan.
- All players selected MUST:
- Be maintaining regular training under an accredited coach (minimum of 2 sessions per week).
- Be demonstrating a clear commitment to growth, including technical, tactical, physical and psychological as demonstrated through their Individual Performance Plan (IPP).
- Confirm their availability and selection in writing within the stated timeframes.
- Sign a TTNZ Player Agreement and abide by its terms and conditions, at all times.
- Make themselves available for all team activities designated by TTNZ.