Here is the comprehensive match schedule for the group stages, organized with a dedicated group column, Indian Standard Time (IST) kick-offs, and venues to help you navigate the tournament seamlessly.

Tournament Stages Timeline

Before diving into the daily fixtures, here is a quick overview of the tournament’s phases:

Group Stage: June 11 – June 27

Round of 32: June 28 – July 3

Round of 16: July 4 – July 7

Quarter-finals: July 9 – July 11

Semi-finals: July 14 – July 15

Third-place Playoff: July 18

Final: July 19

Full Group Stage Fixtures (IST)

Note: The opening match between Mexico and South Africa kicked off on June 11 local time (June 12 IST). All dates and times below are strictly listed in Indian Standard Time.

Matchday 1

Matchday 2

Matchday 3

Knockout Stage Timeline (IST)

While the exact matchups will be determined by the final group stage standings, here is the timeline for the playoff rounds to help you mark your calendars.

Note: Dates are adjusted for Indian Standard Time (IST).

The intense month of competition will culminate in the grand finale, where the next world champions will be crowned at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The post Complete FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule & Fixtures IST appeared first on World Sports to India.

Teams & Qualification

The expansion to 48 teams allowed more nations from across all continental confederations to realize their World Cup dreams. Through rigorous regional qualifying campaigns culminating in the playoffs, the final 48 teams have been locked in and divided into 12 groups.

The qualified teams are:

Group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czechia

Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curaçao

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde

Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Venues & Host Cities

The tournament will be spread across 16 world-class cities in North America.

United States (11 venues): Dallas, New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Seattle, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mexico (3 venues): Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Canada (2 venues): Vancouver and Toronto.

The action officially kicks off on June 11, 2026, at the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa. The grand finale will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Tournament Format & Stages

With 48 teams, the format has been completely revamped:

Group Stage: Teams are divided into 12 groups of four (Groups A through L). Every team plays three matches.

Knockout Rounds: The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockouts. They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams across all groups. This creates a brand-new “Round of 32” stage before moving on to the traditional Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and the Final.

Key Matches to Watch in the Group Stage

For the full 104-match schedule with complete dates and times in IST, check out our comprehensive FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Guide.

With 12 highly competitive groups, the opening round is packed with blockbuster fixtures. Here are the standout “star matches” you simply cannot miss:

Group A – Mexico vs South Africa (June 11): The official opening match of the tournament. The atmosphere at Estadio Azteca will be absolutely electric.

Group C – Brazil vs Morocco (June 13): The five-time champions take on the 2022 semi-finalists in an early test of Brazil’s title credentials.

Group E – Germany vs Ivory Coast (June 20): A massive clash of European tactical discipline against African flair and physicality.

Group F – Netherlands vs Japan (June 14): An intriguing tactical battle featuring the fast-paced, high-pressing Japanese side against the structured Dutch team.

Group H – Spain vs Uruguay (June 25): A battle of heavyweights. Spain’s possession-based game meets Uruguay’s intense, gritty, and direct style of play.

Group I – France vs Senegal (June 16): A mouth-watering clash with deep historical ties, echoing the famous 2002 World Cup opener.

Group L – England vs Croatia (June 17): A rematch of the 2018 semi-final. This will be the defining fixture of what is widely considered the “Group of Death.”

Predictions & Analysis

The Favorites: Heavyweights like France, Brazil, Argentina, and England enter the tournament in formidable form. With their unmatched squad depth and recent deep runs in major tournaments, they are the undeniable favorites to lift the trophy.

The Underdogs: Keep an eye on teams like Morocco and Senegal. While they aren’t the traditional favorites, they have the pace, tactical discipline, and top-tier talent to disrupt the major powers and go deep into the knockout stages.

The Group of Death: Group L stands out as the ultimate “Group of Death.” Featuring a powerhouse England squad, a notoriously resilient Croatia, a physically dominant Ghana, and an unpredictable Panama, every single point in this group will be fiercely contested.

How to Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 in India

Indian football fans can catch all 104 matches live across multiple platforms:

Live Streaming: ZEE5 has secured the digital rights. Fans can stream matches on the ZEE5 app and website via specific subscription plans. Matches will feature both English and Hindi commentary.

Television Broadcast: For TV viewers, ZEE has launched the dedicated Unite8 Sports Network. Matches will be broadcast live across Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.

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Understanding these three roles unlocks the entire logic of Kabaddi.

What Are the Main Positions in Kabaddi?

Kabaddi teams are structured around three primary roles: raiders, defenders, and all-rounders. Raiders score points by tagging opponents and returning safely. Defenders stop raiders through coordinated tackles. All-rounders do both, offering tactical flexibility and balance.

In professional leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League, team composition often revolves around 2–3 primary raiders, 4–5 specialist defenders, and 1–2 versatile all-rounders.

Read: Kabaddi Rules Explained: Raid, Do-or-Die, and Bonus Points

What Does a Raider Do?

A raider is the attacking spear of a Kabaddi team. Their job is to cross into the opponent’s half, tag defenders, and return before being tackled—all while continuously chanting “kabaddi” to prove they are not inhaling.

One breath. One mission.

Raider Responsibilities

• Enter the opponent’s half
• Tag defenders with hand, foot, or body
• Escape back to the midline
• Score points for each defender touched

If caught? Point to the defense.

Key Raider Skills

1. Agility – lightning-fast footwork
2. Body control – escaping tackles
3. Awareness – reading defensive formations
4. Deception – fakes, sudden turns, and hesitation moves

Famous Raiders

Some of the greatest raiders in modern Kabaddi include:

• Pardeep Narwal – famous for the “Dubki” escape
• Rahul Chaudhari – known as the “Showman”
• Anup Kumar – master of calm strategic raids

Raiders are the crowd magnets. Every raid is a miniature duel.

What Does a Defender Do?

A defender is the wall. Their mission is to stop the raider from escaping by executing coordinated tackles.

Timing matters. One mistake means a point conceded.

Defender Responsibilities

• Guard specific zones of the court
• Track raider movements
• Coordinate tackles with teammates
• Force raiders into mistakes

Key Defensive Techniques

1. Ankle Hold
A defender grabs the raider’s ankle to stop forward movement.

2. Thigh Hold
A powerful grip around the raider’s upper leg.

3. Block
Using body mass to stop the raider’s path.

4. Dash
A sudden push sending the raider out of bounds.

Defensive Positions on the Court

Typical defensive roles include:

• Corners – strongest tacklers
• Covers – support defenders
• Ins – central support

Elite defenders include:

• Fazel Atrachali
• Manjeet Chhillar
• Surender Nada

Defenders operate like a pack.

One moves. All move.

What Is an All-Rounder in Kabaddi?

An all-rounder is the rare athlete capable of both raiding and defending effectively. They are tactical glue—able to shift roles depending on match conditions.

Why Teams Value All-Rounders

All-rounders give coaches flexibility:

• Attack when the team lacks raiders
• Strengthen defense during critical moments
• Maintain balance during player substitutions

Skills of Great All-Rounders

• Balanced strength and agility
• Strong tactical awareness
• Ability to read match momentum
• High stamina

Famous All-Rounders

Legendary examples include:

• Deepak Niwas Hooda
• Rajesh Narwal

They are the chess pieces that can move anywhere.

Conclusion: The Balance That Defines Kabaddi

Kabaddi is ultimately a game of balance between offense and defense, embodied in its three core positions: raider, defender, and all-rounder. Raiders bring aggression and scoring power. Defenders provide structure and resistance. All-rounders connect both worlds, giving teams the flexibility to adapt as the match evolves.

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Breath.
Risk.
Return.

That’s kabaddi.

What Is a Raid in Kabaddi?

A raid is the fundamental attacking action in kabaddi. One player—the raider—crosses the midline into the opponent’s half, attempts to score by tagging defenders, and must return to his half in a single breath. Each defender legally touched equals one point, provided the raider returns safely.

This is the engine of the sport.

The raider must:

1. Cross the midline.
2. Chant “kabaddi” continuously to demonstrate one breath.
3. Tag one or more defenders.
4. Return to his half before being tackled.

If successful:

• 1 point per defender touched.
• Tagged defenders are declared out.

If tackled:

• Defense earns 1 point.
• Raider is out.

Simple structure.
Violent execution.

Elite raiders like Pardeep Narwal mastered advanced variations—like the dubki (a sudden duck under defenders)—but the rule remains unchanged: cross, score, survive.

Read: Kabaddi Positions Guide: Raider, Defender, and All-Rounder

What Is an Empty Raid?

An empty raid occurs when a raider enters the opponent’s half but fails to score any points and returns safely without being tackled. No points are awarded to either side.

Empty raids are legal. But they are limited.

And that limitation creates pressure.

What Is a Do-or-Die Raid?

A do-or-die raid occurs after a team completes two consecutive empty raids. On the third raid, the raider must score at least one point. If he fails to score—even if not tackled—he is automatically declared out, and the defending team earns one point.

This rule prevents passive play.

Sequence:

• Raid 1: Empty.
• Raid 2: Empty.
• Raid 3: Do-or-die.

On that third attempt:

• Raider must score.
• If he doesn’t, he is out automatically.
• Defense receives 1 point.

No negotiation.

The do-or-die raid changes body language. Defenders tighten formation. Raiders take sharper risks. Players like Anup Kumar built reputations on composure in these high-stakes moments.

This is the sport’s pressure valve.

What Is a Bonus Point in Kabaddi?

A bonus point is an additional scoring opportunity available when six or more defenders are on court. The raider earns 1 bonus point by crossing the designated bonus line with one foot while maintaining proper body position and returning safely, even without touching any defender.

The bonus line sits parallel to the end line inside the defending half.

Conditions for a bonus:

• At least 6 defenders must be active.
• Raider must cross the bonus line with one foot grounded legally.
• The other foot must remain in the air or within legal bounds.
• Raider must return safely.

If successful:

• Raider earns 1 point.
• No defender is declared out.

It is precision over power.

Raiders such as Rahul Chaudhari often used the bonus to stretch defensive formations before launching aggressive attacks.

How Do Raid, Do-or-Die, and Bonus Points Interact?

These three rules form kabaddi’s scoring rhythm. Regular raids generate points through touches. Empty raids trigger do-or-die pressure. Bonus points reward calculated depth when defenders are fully present. Together, they create constant tactical tension.

Here’s the dynamic:

• Regular raid → Opportunity for multiple points.
• Two empty raids → Pressure builds.
• Do-or-die raid → Forced aggression.
• Six defenders active → Bonus available.

The defense must decide:

Guard the bonus line?
Or step forward and risk a touch?

Every raid is math. And psychology.

Key Terms Table

Core Strategy Around These Rules

1. Avoid Early Empty Raids – Prevent do-or-die pressure.
2. Use Bonus to Control Risk – Secure single points safely.
3. Force Opponents Into Do-or-Die Situations – Increase defensive advantage.
4. Track Defender Count – Bonus only activates with six or more.
5. Balance Risk and Return – Multi-point raids vs. safe bonus plays.

The rules are simple.

The decisions are not.

Where Are These Rules Most Visible?

Modern kabaddi showcases these rules clearly in the Pro Kabaddi League, launched in 2014, where high-definition broadcasts and statistical graphics highlight raid types, do-or-die counts, and bonus attempts in real time.

Watch a match involving teams like the Patna Pirates, and you will see the rulebook come alive.

Every scoreboard tracks:

• Raid number
• Do-or-die status
• Bonus eligibility

Nothing is hidden.

How to Watch for These Rules as a Beginner

Focus on three signals: the raid count (to detect do-or-die), the number of defenders (to know if bonus is active), and the raider’s depth in the court (to judge risk). These cues reveal the tactical stakes instantly.

Count the raids.

Count the defenders.

Watch the feet near the bonus line.

Kabaddi is not random motion. It is structured confrontation governed by raid mechanics, do-or-die pressure, and bonus precision.

Understand those three rules—

And you understand the game.

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To understand the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) in women’s badminton, one must understand that this sport demands the lungs of a marathoner and the wrists of a surgeon. The women on this list did not just win; they redefined the physics of the court.

The Pantheon of Shuttlers: Quick Reference

1. Zhang Ning: The Iron Lady of Longevity

The undisputed matriarch. In a sport that usually retires its stars by 25, Zhang Ning reached her peak in her late 20s and early 30s. She is the only female singles player to successfully defend an Olympic title, winning gold in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008).

Her game was built on height and intimidation. She utilized a steep, punishing smash and a relentless tactical mind that allowed her to outlast opponents half her age. She didn’t just play the game; she governed it.

2. Susi Susanti: The Soul of Indonesia

Poetry.

If you watched Susi Susanti play in the early 90s, you weren’t watching a match—you were watching a ballet. She was famous for her incredible flexibility, often finishing shots in a full leg split to keep the shuttle alive.

She won Indonesia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in 1992. Her victory was so significant it brought an entire nation to tears. She was the master of the “long rally,” a defensive specialist who would wait for her opponent to tire before striking with surgical precision.

3. Carolina Marín: The Spanish Storm

Ferocity.

Before Carolina Marín, women’s badminton was almost exclusively dominated by Asian powerhouses. Marín changed that with a scream. She brought an aggressive, high-intensity style that relied on speed and mental warfare.

She is the only woman to win three World Championship titles. Marín plays every point like it is a battle for survival. Her left-handed angles are notoriously difficult to read, creating a “slingshot” effect that catches even the best players off balance.

4. Tai Tzu-ying: The Magician

Magic.

Tai Tzu-ying does not play badminton; she creates illusions. She is widely considered the most talented player to ever pick up a racket, even if her trophy cabinet lacks the Olympic Gold of her peers.

Her “deception” is her trademark. She can disguise a hard smash until the very last millisecond, only to drop the shuttle gently over the net. She held the World No. 1 ranking for a record 214 weeks. To watch Tai is to see the court as a canvas where the shuttlecock is the brush.

Also Read | Top 10 Strikers of All Time in Serie A History 

5. An Se-young: The New Standard

Machine.

As of 2025, An Se-young has transitioned from a “prodigy” to a “legend.” She is often called the “Female Lin Dan” because of her nearly impenetrable defense and her ability to win titles in bunches.

In 2023, she won nearly every tournament she entered. By 2024, she secured the Olympic Gold in Paris. She moves with a mechanical efficiency that makes the court seem smaller for her opponents. She is the future and the present of the sport, combining the defense of Susanti with the modern power of Marín.

The Mental Chess: How They Won

To the casual observer, they are just hitting a bird. To the expert, they are manipulating four corners.

1. The Lift: Pushing the opponent to the back to open the front.
2. The Drop: Forcing the opponent to lung forward.
3. The Smash: The finishing blow.

The women on this list mastered the “Geometry of the Court.” They knew exactly where their opponent’s center of gravity was and moved the shuttle to the opposite pixel.

Read Next | Badminton Gear & Equipment Every Player Must Have

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Since its inception in 1949, many teams have featured in the competition, but only a few have managed to dominate.

So here are the teams that have won the most titles in Thomas Cup history.

6. India – 1

India has been going through a badminton revolution since the 2010s. And that paid rich dividends when the men’s team stormed into their first Thomas Cup final in 2022.

When they reached the finals, they made sure to return with the gold. The title-winning team consisted of players like Lakshya Sen, Srikanth Kidambi, Prannoy HS, and the pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty.

India won their group stage matches against Germany, Canada, and Chinese Taipei before upsetting Malaysia and Denmark in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively. They were up against defending champions Indonesia in the final, which they went on to win by 3-0, sealing their first Thomas Cup title.

5. Japan – 1

Japan are the other Asian team with one title victory in the men’s event. The Japanese stunned the Malaysians in the 2014 edition held in New Delhi, India.

Japan sneaked in all three wins in the group stage against England, Hong Kong, and Denmark. They defeated France in the quarter-final before overcoming the mighty China in the semis. 

In the final, Japan faced fierce competition from Malaysia, with the contest being decided in the third set of the fifth match. Japan won the final by 3-2 to clinch their maiden title.

4. Denmark – 1

Denmark are the only non-Asian team to claim the Thomas Cup. They achieved this extraordinary feat in 2016. 

The Danish bagged two easy wins against South Africa and New Zealand before sneaking a close victory against Chinese Taipei in the group stage. They cruised to the final after hard-fought victories against Japan and Malaysia in the quarter-final and semi-final, respectively.

To win their maiden gold, Denmark had to put in hard yards to overcome the Indonesian challenge in the final. The Danish shuttlers defeated Indonesia by 3-2.

3. Malaysia – 5

Malaysia are one of three Asian teams to have won the Thomas Cup multiple times. The Malaysians were the inaugural champions, winning the 1949 edition against Denmark.

Their second title came three years later, taking down the United States of America (USA) in the final. Malaysia made a hat-trick in 1955 by bowling away Denmark to win their third gold.

Malaysia’s fourth Thomas Cup title came in 1967 after they broke Indonesia’s title-winning streak. After a gap of 25 years, the Asian team inscribed their name on the Thomas Cup for the fifth time by defeating Indonesia in 1992. 

2. China – 11

China are the second-most successful men’s team in Thomas Cup history. They have won 11 titles, showcasing their dominance in the tournament, more so in the 21st century.

In this century alone, China have clinched gold seven times, which includes a streak of five consecutive titles. The Chinese won their first-ever title in 1982, overcoming Indonesia to snap their four-title streak.

Then, between 1986 and 1990, they added three trophies, beating Indonesia (1986) once and Malaysia (1988 and 1990) twice. From 2004 onwards, China racked up five gold medals in a row.

China’s 10th title win came in 2010 as they nailed down Japan in the final, while their most recent victory came in 2024 against Indonesia.

1. Indonesia – 14

Indonesia top the chart, with 14 titles to their name. That makes them the most successful team in the Thomas Cup history.

Indonesia is known for producing some of the finest badminton players. And their dominance in the Thomas Cup testifies to it.

They added their maiden title back in 1958 and went on to win the next editions. They returned to the top for four consecutive years between 1970 and 1979.

Five years later, Indonesia clinched their eighth title in 1984 before having a command over the title for five editions from 1994 to 2002. Indonesia had to wait for 18 years to add their 14th title to the cabinet. They overcame the Chinese challenge in the 2020 final.

Read Next | The Basic Guide to Understand Tennis Scoring 

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And some take it a notch higher by generating the fastest smashes using all their energy to shatter records. India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy holds the record for the fastest smash, clocking 565 kmph, although it came in a controlled facility.

But we have also seen shuttlers recording the fastest smashes in badminton matches with finesse. So in this article, let’s look at the five fastest smashes recorded in badminton matches.

5. Kunlavut Vitidsarn | 419 kmph (260 mph)

Kunlavut Vitidsarn makes it to the fifth spot thanks to his rocket smash. The Thai shuttler’s smash came at the right time, as it tilted the match in his favour.

In the 2023 Singapore Open, Vitidsarn was looking to advance from the round of 32. He was up against Taiwan’s Wang Tzu Wei, with the final set standing at 26-26.

But then Vitidsarn’s 419 kmph smash gave him the lead and eventually went on to win the match by adding another point.

4. Lakshya Sen | 420 kmph (261 mph)

The new badminton sensation in India, Lakshya Sen, has recorded the fourth-fastest smash in a badminton match. He sent down a lightning-quick shuttle during a singles match in the 2023 Canada Open.

It was the final of the tournament, with Sen pitted against China’s Li Shi Feng. The Indian badminton player hit a smash of 420 kmph in the first set, giving no chance to his opponent.

3. Mads Pieler Kolding | 426 kmph (265 mph)

Mad Pieler Kolding once held the top spot but now sits in the third position on this list. The Danish shuttler held the record for six years before our number-one player surpassed him by miles.

With a height of 2.05 meters, Kolding produced a smash of 426 kmph. He did so in the 2017 Premier League Badminton while playing for Chennai Smashes against Delhi Acers in a men’s doubles match.

Kolding, paired with Chris Adcock, executed the powerful smash against the duo of Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov. He lived up to his team’s name, didn’t he?

2. Prannoy HS | 428 kmph (266 mph)

The second Indian to feature on the list, Prannoy HS, occupies the second spot. He surpassed Kolding’s record just by a whisker.

In the 2023 Japan Open, Prannoy faced Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the quarter-finals. With the score reading 13-17 in the first set, the Indian shuttler put his full power behind the shuttle to generate a speed of 428 kmph.

Prannoy’s 428 kmph shot is the second-fastest smash in a competitive badminton match.

1. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy | 500 kmph (311 mph)

Well, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy also tops the chart in badminton matches. So he can generate top speeds not just in controlled environments but even in high-intensity matches.

Satwik is the only shuttler to cross the 500 kmph barrier in badminton’s history. He scripted history in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Korea Open.

Satwik was up against the Japanese pair of Hoki Takuro and Yugo Kobayashi, along with his doubles partner Chirag Shetty. During the first set of the match, Satwik logged the 500 kmph smash, making it the fastest in badminton.

Read Next | Top 10 Strikers of All Time in English Premier League

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The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has severe rules in place to punish players for their misconduct during a match. The chair umpire and the referee who oversees badminton matches have the authority to penalise players for their on-court misconduct.

You will often see the umpire giving yellow, red, or even black cards if they find a player not adhering to rules. But what do these cards signify? And when does the umpire issue it?

In this article, we’ll learn about yellow, red, and black cards used in badminton.

Yellow Card in Badminton

Let’s begin with the yellow card, which acts more like a warning for a player to not repeat an offence. If the chair umpire comes across any breach of official laws by a player, they will issue a yellow card.

The umpires generally caution players about their on-court behaviour before raising a yellow card. They only do so if they feel the concerned player is making the offence again and again. But, sometimes, the umpire may issue a yellow card on the first instance as well.

Once a player receives a yellow card, the umpire announces it as a ‘warning for misconduct’ while BWF will impose a monetary fine on them.

Red Card in Badminton

The red card comes second when a player receives two yellow cards. This might be a result of a repeat offence conducted by the player.

The umpire calls out the concerned player’s name and announces a ‘fault by misconduct’. If a player receives a red card, then their opponent will receive one point for making a fault. Plus, the player will have to pay a hefty fine.

A player may receive another red card if they continue to breach the rules and regulations.

Black Card in Badminton

The black card tops the above two cards and comes with a severe penalty. So a player wouldn’t like to receive a black card,

Why so? If a player goes to extreme lengths during their behaviour on the court, they may face immediate disqualification from the match and the tournament. Plus, the BWF may impose a ban on the player for a certain period.

If the umpire reckons a player is engaging in excessive misconduct, they will call the referee, informing them about the breach and a possible disqualification. Following that, if the referee thinks the player needs to be disqualified, then they will hand over the black card to the umpire.

The chair umpire will raise the black card, announcing the player’s name along with ‘disqualified for misconduct’. Then the player will be disqualified from the whole tournament immediately.

What comes under misconduct?

There are a few actions a player needs to refrain from doing in a match. If they get involved in any one of them, then the umpire will issue any one of the cards.

So the umpire will consider the following actions as misconduct.

• If a shuttler delays the game for unnecessary reasons.
• If a player distracts their opponent by shouting or making any gesture.
• If the player leaves the court without seeking the umpire’s permission.
• If a player throws the racket in any direction on the court.
• If the player damages the shuttle purposefully.
• If a player threatens the opponent, umpire, referee, or line judge.
• If the player receives coaching during a rally.

Read Next | Unforced Errors in Tennis – Explained

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The country’s governing body, the Badminton Association of India (BAI), organises these BWF tournaments every year, which sees participation from top-ranked players.

So here are the BWF badminton tournaments organised in India.

India Open

The India Open has been the top badminton tournament in the country since its inception in 2008. Initially, the BWF categorised the event under the Grand Prix Gold level.

Three years later, the tournament made it to the BWF Superseries events, with the status remaining till 2017. As the global body restructured its tournament system in 2018, the India Open became part of the Super 500 level under the World Tour series.

But now the competition is part of the Super 750 level, with the BWF upgrading the status in 2023. The India Open is just one of the six Super 750 tournaments, offering prize money of US$950,000.

The BAI organises the India Open every year in January at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. Many Indian badminton players and top-ranked international players have featured in the tournament.

Syed Modi International Badminton Championships

In 1991, the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association established a top-level tournament in honour of Syed Modi. He was a former Indian shuttler who won the national championship eight times and a gold at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in the men’s singles category.

The Syed Modi Badminton Championships was a national tournament for over a decade before it went international in 2004. Five years later, the BWF accorded the event a Grand Prix status.

In no time, the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships saw participation from Indian and foreign shuttlers. In 2011, the BWF decided to promote the event to the Grand Prix Gold category.

In 2018, the competition saw its inclusion in the BWF World Tour circuit along with the India Open, though under the Super 300 level. Now, the Syed Modi International Badminton Championships takes place every year in November-December at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium in Lucknow.

Guwahati Masters

The Guwahati Masters is a newer addition to the BWF calendar. The tournament debuted in 2023, with the BWF sanctioning it as a Super 100 event.

This is the second BWF Tour Super 100 event allotted to India after the Odisha Masters. Guwahati’s Saru Sajai Indoor Sports Complex hosts the tournament in December every year.

The inclusion of a new tournament in the BWF’s structure shows India’s growing stature in the world badminton circuit.

Odisha Masters

The Odisha Masters is another recent entry in BWF’s events, having started a year earlier than the Guwahati Masters. The Indian state of Odisha is turning out to be an emerging sports hub in India.

And their commitment towards hosting a major international badminton tournament proves it further. The BAI has been organising the Odisha Masters since 2022, with the BWF categorising it under the Super 100 level.

Read Next | How are ATP Rankings Calculated?

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But there are a few things about the racket sport that will equally amaze, if not more. So here are the seven interesting facts about badminton you perhaps didn’t know!

A Feet Sport!

As mentioned earlier, badminton is a racket sport. But before the sport evolved into how we play it today, Chinese people used to hit the shuttle with their feet rather than the racket.

Shocking, isn’t it? Well, what’s more surprising is that the Chinese people still play it. They call it Jianzi, with the shuttle having four feathers glued into a rubber sole. 

It is almost similar to how we play badminton, with two players playing against each other or a group of five to ten people playing it.

From Battledore and Shuttlecock to Poona to Badminton

When the sport was in its earlier stage in mediaeval times, people called it battledore and shuttlecock. But in the mid-19th century, the sport started taking shape in the town of Poona in India.

The officers from the British Army posted at the Poona Military Station took a liking for the sport and started calling it ‘Poona’. Then they took the sport with them to the United Kingdom, which garnered attention from the Duke of Beaufort.

He further introduced the sport to guests during a party at his estate, the Badminton House. And that’s how the sport derived its name, with the Duke of Beaufort calling it ‘the badminton game’ after his estate. 

Goose Feathers Used for Shuttlecock

If you have been playing or watching the sport, then you know that players use the shuttle made of feathers. And they are not artificial feathers but extracted from a real goose.

Yes, the manufacturers use the feathers obtained from the left wing of a goose. A total of 16 feathers are needed to manufacture a shuttlecock.

Olympic Debut

The All England Open was the first major badminton tournament, as it started in 1899 – three years after the first-ever Olympics took place in 1896. But it took more than nine decades for badminton to make its debut at the Olympics.

Badminton made its first appearance at the 1992 Olympic Games held in Barcelona. Now the badminton matches played at the Olympics hold a lot of prestige.

Longest Rally

What’s more intriguing than watching the shuttle fly from one end to another? A continuous back and forth of the shuttle without dropping it on the court is known as a rally.

It’s quite a challenge for players not to make a false shot and keep the rally going. But during a women’s doubles match in 2023, a rally went on for 211 shots!

That’s the longest rally recorded in badminton, with Malaysia’s Thinaah Muralitharan-Pearly Tan and Japan’s Rena Miyaura-Ayako Sakuramoto scripting the history.

Both pairs kept attacking and defending, with the rally lasting for more than three minutes.

Shortest Badminton Match

The longest rally lasted for three minutes, but another badminton match was over within six minutes. Unbelievable, right?

In the 1996 Uber Cup, the women’s singles match between South Korea’s Ra Kyung-min and England’s Julia Mann ended in six minutes. The South Korean shuttler defeated Mann in straight sets by 11-2, 11-1.

Longest Badminton Match

On the other hand, a women’s doubles badminton match lasted for 161 minutes. It was the semi-final played at the 2016 Badminton Asian Championships.

The Japanese pair of Kurumi Yonao and Naoko Fukuman were up against the Indonesian duo of Greysia Polii and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari. It was a fiercely contested game, which lasted for two hours and 41 minutes, or 161 minutes, with the scoreline – 13-21, 21-19, 24-24 –  going in the Japanese pair’s favour.

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