Algeria Books Three Places at ITTF World Cup in Macao

Algeria will make a historic showing at the ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, after three of its players qualified from the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup in Benghazi, Libya.

Teenage prodigy Tania Morice, experienced left-hander Stéphane Ouaiche and surprise men’s semifinalist Mehdi Bouloussa all booked places among Africa’s representatives, marking a major milestone for Algerian table tennis.

Morice’s qualification capped a remarkable debut at the continental championship. Competing in the Africa Cup for the first time, the reigning African girls’ cadet champion swept through the group stage before sealing her World Cup ticket with a dominant 4–0 quarterfinal victory over Tunisia’s Abir Haj Salah.

The teenager had earlier announced her arrival with a stunning 3–1 upset of Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, the fourth seed and 2022 Africa Cup runner-up, on the opening day of competition. She now heads to Macao for the biggest test of her burgeoning career.

Ouaiche’s qualification was equally significant. The France-based star, who last represented Algeria at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, finally ended a three-year wait imposed by ITTF nationality transfer regulations.

With the eligibility period completed, Ouaiche produced an emphatic run in Benghazi, topping his group before recording straight-games victories over Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Cameroon’s Ylane Batix. His qualification made him the only new face among Africa’s men’s representatives for the World Cup.

Bouloussa completed Algeria’s impressive haul with a major upset in the men’s singles semifinal, defeating Egypt’s third seed Youssef Abdelaziz 4–2 in a pulsating encounter. The result ensured Algeria will be represented by three players in Macao, underlining the country’s growing influence on the African table tennis scene.

Elsewhere, Africa’s established stars also secured their World Cup places. Egypt’s Hana Goda and Dina Meshref qualified once again, while Mariam Alhodaby earned her second appearance at the global showpiece after beating Nigeria’s Bello 4–1.

Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna advanced with a commanding 4–0 win over Egyptian teenager Badr Mostafa, while defending Africa Cup champion Omar Assar eased past Tunisia’s Wassim Essid by the same scoreline.

The Africa Cup semifinals promise high drama. In the men’s singles, Assar will face Ouaiche, while Aruna meets Bouloussa for the first time. On the women’s side, Goda takes on compatriot Alhodaby, with Morice set for a daunting showdown against nine-time champion Meshref in what could be a defining moment in the young Algerian’s career.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H