World Cup draw confirms 156 national teams in Da Nang

The 16 August draw in Da Nang set the groups for the national-team category of the Heineken Pickleball World Cup 2026. VietnamPlus, reporting through the Vietnam News Agency, recorded 156 teams across Open, Senior, Master, Junior and Kids.

The draw-stage report said the event was set to involve more than 5,000 athletes from 81 countries and territories. Those figures are newer than earlier projections of about 4,000 people from 80 countries, so the reporting keeps the source stage explicit rather than treating the numbers as interchangeable.

National teams

156 via VietnamPlus/VNA

Divisions

Five

Opening ceremony

2 Sep

Vietnam drawn in Group A in four divisions

The draw placed Vietnam in Group A in Open, Master, Junior and Kids. The group allocation gives the teams their opening path and helps supporters choose which dates and divisions to follow once detailed match information is published.

An international player field

VietnamPlus names Vietnamese players Ly Hoang Nam, Phuc Huynh, Truong Vinh Hien, Sophia Phuong Anh and Sophia Huynh Tran alongside competitors from the PPA and APP circuits.

The report's international names include Roos Van Reek, Quang Duong, Jack Munro, Vivian Glozman, Bobbi Oshiro, Jack Wong, Nicola Schoeman, Harsh Mehta and Jay Devilliers. Final participation should still be checked against the tournament's official field closer to competition.

A programme beyond the group draw

Beyond competition, the announced programme includes training activities, a sports and technology forum, World Market and events involving young athletes, entrepreneurs, celebrities and KOLs. These were draw-stage plans; the organisers still need to confirm individual activity schedules.

Competition is scheduled from 30 August to 6 September at Tien Son, Tuyen Son and central Da Nang courts and clubs. The opening ceremony is set for 2 September; supporters should recheck the post-draw schedule before each competition day.