2026 Thomas Cup – France vs. India Semifinal Schedule
The 2026 Thomas Cup has delivered a truly historic semifinal matchup at the Forum Horsens as France—making a groundbreaking run in the tournament—takes on the powerhouse and former champions, India. While India brings the weight of experience and a star-studded roster, the French team has become the tournament’s “dark horse,” fueled by the explosive talent of the Popov brothers and rising star Alex Lanier.
This clash on Court 2 is set to be a tactical thriller. India enters as the favorite on paper, but France’s unique lineup—which prioritizes three singles matches to start—suggests they are looking to seize an early lead before the doubles specialists take the stage.
The tie begins at 6:00 PM local time, which translates to a prime-time evening start for fans in India and a sunset showdown for those in France.
Match Schedule: France vs. India
- Date: May 2, 2026
- Venue: Forum Horsens, Court 2
- Stage: Semifinals (SF)
| Match | Category | France (FRA) | vs. | India (IND) | Local/FRA Time (UTC+2) | India Time (IST) (UTC+5.5) |
| 1 | MS 1 | Christo Popov | vs. | Ayush Shetty | 06:00 PM | 09:30 PM |
| 2 | MS 2 | Alex Lanier | vs. | Kidambi Srikanth | 06:50 PM* | 10:20 PM* |
| 3 | MS 3 | Toma Junior Popov | vs. | Prannoy H. S. | 07:40 PM* | 11:10 PM* |
| 4 | MD 2 | E. Adam / L. Rossi | vs. | H. Amsakarunan / M.R. Arjun | 08:30 PM* | 12:00 AM (May 3)* |
| 5 | MD 1 | C. Popov / T. J. Popov | vs. | S. Rankireddy / C. Shetty | 09:20 PM* | 12:50 AM (May 3)* |
*Estimated start times; matches follow a “Followed By” schedule based on match duration.
Where to Watch: Broadcast & Streaming
In India:
- Television: Sports18 (1, 2, and HD) will provide live coverage.
- Digital/Streaming: Fans can stream every match live on JioCinema.
- Free-to-Air: Check DD Sports for potential terrestrial broadcast coverage.
In France:
- Television: L’Équipe (L’Équipe Live/L’Équipe TV) is the primary broadcaster for major badminton events.
- Digital: Check the L’Équipe app and website for live updates and streaming.
Global Access:
- BWF TV: Live streaming is available on the BWF YouTube channel (subject to local geo-blocking).
- Olympic Channel: Live highlights and scores via Olympics.com.
Key Matchups to Watch
- The Youth Battle (MS1): Christo Popov vs. Ayush Shetty. France needs a strong start, and Christo’s high-energy left-handed play will be tested by the technical fluidity of India’s rising star, Ayush Shetty.
- The Veteran vs. The Prodigy (MS2): Alex Lanier, one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, faces former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth. Srikanth’s experience in high-pressure team ties is legendary, but Lanier’s speed and fearlessness could cause an upset.
- The Final Stand (MD1): In a rare scheduling move, the top doubles match is slated for last. If the tie goes to 2-2, seeing the Popov brothers face the world-renowned “Sat-Chi” duo (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty) will be an absolute spectacle of power and precision.
Semifinal Format: This is a Best-of-Five tie. The first team to win three matches advances to the Thomas Cup Final. Because it is a knockout round, the tie ends as soon as a winner is determined.
Can France continue their fairytale run, or will the Indian giants prove too strong?
