Algeria will be proudly represented by debutants and rising stars at the ITTF World Cup in Macao, China, following a string of impressive performances at the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup in Benghazi, Libya.
Teenage sensation Tania Morice, seasoned southpaw Stéphane Ouaiche, and surprise semifinalist Mehdi Bouloussa all booked their places among Africa’s elite, marking a milestone for Algerian table tennis.
For Morice, the journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Making her first appearance at the continental tournament, she bulldozed through the group stage before sealing her World Cup slot with a commanding 4–0 quarterfinal victory over Tunisia’s Abir Haj Salah.
The reigning African girls’ cadet champion had already announced herself on the opening day with a stunning 3–1 upset against Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, the tournament’s fourth seed and 2022 runner-up. Now, she prepares for the biggest test of her young career.
Ouaiche’s path to the World Cup has been equally significant. The France-based star, who last represented Algeria at the 2023 African Games in Ghana, finally saw his long wait end this year.
Under ITTF rules, players switching national allegiance must observe a three-year gap before representing their new country.
With that period now complete, Ouaiche delivered a dominant run in Libya, topping his group and brushing aside Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Cameroon’s Ylane Batix with convincing 4–0 victories.
His performances earned him the distinction of being the only new face among Africa’s men’s representatives heading to Macao.
Bouloussa added to Algeria’s tally with a major upset in the men’s singles semifinal, defeating third seed Youssef Abdelaziz of Egypt 4–2 in a thrilling encounter.
His victory ensured Algeria will send three players to the World Cup, underlining the nation’s growing influence in African table tennis.
Elsewhere, Africa’s established stars also sealed their tickets. Egypt’s Hana Goda and Dina Meshref will return to Macao, while Mariam Alhodaby qualified for her second World Cup after overcoming Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello 4–1.
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna powered past Egyptian teenager Badr Mostafa with a 4–0 win, and defending champion Omar Assar dominated Tunisia’s Wassim Essid 4–0 to secure his place.
Day 3 of the Africa Cup promises high drama in the semifinals. In the men’s singles, defending champion Assar will face Ouaiche, while Aruna and Bouloussa clash for the first time in the other semifinal.
On the women’s side, Goda meets compatriot Alhodaby, while Morice faces the formidable nine-time champion Meshref in what could be the defining match of her young career.
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