French Men's Table Tennis Team Secures Medal with Semi-final Spot at 2026 World Championships

The French men's table tennis team has guaranteed a medal by advancing to the semi-finals of the 2026 World Championships in London after a commanding victory over Brazil on May 8. The French team, featuring standout players the Lebrun brothers and Flavien Coton, demonstrated dominance in the quarterfinal match by winning three matches consecutively.

Flavien Coton led the charge by defeating Brazil's top-ranked player, Hugo Calderano, who holds the fifth position globally, with a decisive 3-0 win. Alexis Lebrun, ranked 23rd worldwide, maintained France's momentum by not dropping a single set in his match. Félix Lebrun also contributed significantly, winning his match with a 3-1 scoreline.

Looking ahead, France will face China in the semi-finals—a rematch of the final encounter from two years prior—making for a highly anticipated clash. Meanwhile, the French women's team faced disappointment, losing 1-3 to Romania and exiting the tournament despite a win from Jia Nan Yuan.

This semi-final qualification ensures France will finish with at least a bronze medal, marking a historic achievement in French table tennis. The team’s strong performance reflects their growing stature in the sport internationally, with the Lebrun brothers and Coton at the forefront of this success.