Revealed: Sudirman Cup 2023 group stage opponents of India

Indians are placed in two of the toughest groups of the tournament.

TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup 2023 is set to be held from 14-21 May in Suzhou, China. A total of 16 countries will be taking part in the prestigious event. India booked their spot after defeating Hong Kong in the quarterfinals of the Asia Mixed Team Championships held in February 2023. Europe and Asia were given four quotas for the Sudirman Cup while Oceania, Africa, and Pan America were awarded one place each.

Sudirman Cup 2023 groups

Group A - China, Denmark, Singapore, Egypt

Group B - Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, Canada

Group C - Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, India, Australia

Group D - Japan, Korea, France, England

India was seeded ninth in the draw and is placed alongside Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, and Australia. The top two teams from each group will progress through to the quarterfinals. 

The inaugural edition of the Sudirman Cup was held in 1989 and is held every two years. China is the most successful country having won the event 12 times out of 17 attempts (till 2021). In particular, China has won eight out of the last ten championships (six successive times) from 2005 to 2021. South Korea (4) and Indonesia (1) are the only two countries apart from China to have won the tournament. 

India made history by winning the 2022 Thomas Cup for the first time and has been performing well in team events. India also reached the semifinals for the first time at the 2023 Asia Mixed Team Championships but lost to heavyweights China. The best finish for India at the Sudirman Cup was during the 2011 and 2017 editions finishing as quarterfinalists. There is no prize money in Sudirman Cup. The players play for their respective countries to earn BWF World Ranking points and for national prestige.