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ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals 2026 Selection Criteria

Where: London, England

When: 28th April – 10th May 2026

Player availability known by: 23rd December 2025

Players selected by: 15th February 2026

Approximate cost: TBC

Funding: User-pays. A deposit is required on advice of selection

Following a review of senior performance outcomes, it has been decided to only send a men’s team to this tournament. A focus on targeted development opportunities is considered more appropriate for the female athletes over the coming year, with the aim of supporting their progression and future competitive readiness. This decision applies to the 2026 season only and will be reviewed annually.
 
The male players who will represent New Zealand (NZ) at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals will be selected based on the below criteria.

Criteria:

  • Only players eligible to represent New Zealand in all ITTF sanctioned events, including World Title events 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.
  • The number of players selected to be part of the team will be a minimum of three (3) and a maximum number of four (4).
    • A non-travelling reserve will be named if only three (3) players are selected for the team.
  • One male player selected will be:                                                                                                                                                                                                     
    • The highest World Ranked NZ eligible player as at Week 45, 2025 of the ITTF World Ranking lists.
      • If the highest World Ranked NZ eligible player is unavailable, this selection place will then go to the next highest World Ranked NZ            eligible player. 
      • If in the case, there are no (or no remaining) NZ eligible World Ranked players on the World ranking list, the place will be forfeited for selection as per the selection process for players from the TTNZ Open Merit list.                                                                                              
  • One male player selected will be:                                                                                                                                                                                                     
    • The highest ranked eligible player from the 2025 November TTNZ Open Men’s Merit list.                                                                                     
      • If a player is unavailable, the next highest ranked eligible and available player on the Merit list will be selected.     
  • One or two male players will be selected as ‘Selectors Choice’ taking the following into consideration:                                                                         
    • The players must be in the 2026 NZ National Squad.                                                                                                                                                           
    • All national and international results between 1 March 2025 and the date of selection.
  • A player must be prepared to meet all/any costs as this event is ‘self-funded’.
  • All players selected MUST:
    •  Confirm their availability and selection in writing within the stated timeframes of confirmation.                                                                         
    • Sign a TTNZ Player Agreement and always abide by its terms and conditions.                                                                                                         
    • Make themselves available for all team activities designated by TTNZ.

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