The Chinese mainland team competes against Hong Kong team in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on November 30, 2025. Photo: VCG

The ITTF Mixed Team World Cup 2025 opened Sunday in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, marking the first edition of the tournament since the mixed team event was confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Chinese mainland team made a good start in the group stage, defeating Hong Kong team 8-1 behind a lineup led by world champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.

This year's tournament carries added weight, as world ranking points for the champion team have been raised from 1,000 to 2,500. Sixteen teams have sent nearly full-strength squads, treating the competition as a major test ahead of the Los Angeles Games.

With about two years left until the Los Angeles Olympics, current national team players will be two years older by then, making it crucial to identify who can rise in the next cycle, Luo Le, a sports scholar at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, told the Global Times on Sunday. "China is preparing for Los Angeles, but so are other teams from other countries. They're also watching closely to see who has real potential."

China's roster features Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun and Xu Yingbin on the men's side, with Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi representing the women's team.

Japan, China's main rival, has sent its strongest squad, including Tomokazu Harimoto, Shunsuke Togami, Hiroto Shinozuka, Miwa Harimoto, Mima Ito, Satsuki Odo, Hina Hayata and Sora Matsushima. Last year, Japan fielded a secondary team.

South Korea, led by Shin Yubin, Jang Woojin and An Jaehyun, enters as a two-time Mixed Team World Cup runner-up.

European powerhouses Sweden, France, and Germany bring seasoned tactical wisdom and deep squads, while India boasts a variety of unconventional playing styles. Every team on the roster is a force to be reckoned with.

Luo noted that a key factor is shifting psychology among China's rivals. In the past, foreign players often felt intimidated before even facing China. In recent years, that fear has eased gradually. If they're no longer afraid, they could become a greater threat. A strong performance at the Mixed Team World Cup can keep the psychological pressure on them; a poor one will only give them more confidence.

The event uses a 15-game, best-of-eight format. Each team match begins with mixed doubles, followed by women's singles, men's singles and either men's or women's doubles.

All individual matches are played in a best-of-three format. Mixed-doubles players can not appear in singles, forcing teams to strategize their lineups. Lower-ranked teams can choose whether men's or women's doubles are played first, adding another layer of tactical nuance.

The tournament is being staged in three phases. The opening round features a group stage in which 16 teams are split into four groups, with the top two from each advancing. In the second phase, an eight-team round-robin, results from the first stage are carried over and teams that have already met do not play again. The event concludes with a knockout round, including the semifinals, bronze-medal match and final, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

"The innovative format increases the event's appeal and creates more uncertainty, while providing a fuller test of each team's overall strength," Luo said. "Players from other countries have improved in recent years and shown real competitiveness against China. Whether this tournament strengthens their confidence or reinforces China's position as the stronger side remains to be seen."

The mainland team was drawn into Group A with Egypt, Hong Kong, China and Chile. Other groups include Japan, India, Australia and Croatia in Group B; South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Sweden and the US in Group C; and Germany, France, Romania and Brazil in Group D. 

At the draw ceremony, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha represented Team China and spoke about competing in the Mixed Team World Cup again following the event's inclusion in the Olympic program.

"With the mixed team event now part of the Olympics, every team has brought its strongest lineup," Sun said. "I believe this year's Mixed Team World Cup will feature very intense competition, and we hope to deliver exciting matches for everyone." 

"Now that the mixed team event is part of the Olympics, competing again feels different," Wang said. "The [pressure] is greater."

With the Los Angeles Olympics approaching, the Chengdu World Cup serves both as a key battleground in China's bid for a third consecutive mixed team world title and a proving ground for rising stars, according to Xinhua. The competitions will last until December 7.