The 2018 Thomas Cup qualification process is a series of tournaments organised by the five BWFconfederations to decide 14 of the 16 teams which will play in the 2018 Thomas Cup, with Thailand qualifying automatically as hosts, and Denmark qualifying automatically as trophy holder.[1]
^1 Since Denmark, one of the semifinalists for European qualification tournament had already qualified as the title holder, hence the spot is given to the best European team from World Team Ranking.
Qualification process
The number of teams participating in the final tournament is 16. Even though the qualification process began in February 2018, the allocation of slots for each confederation is same the allocation as 2016 tournament.
The qualification for the African teams was held from 12 to 15 February 2018, at the Hacène Harcha Arena in Algiers, Algeria. The winners of the African qualification will qualified for the Thomas Cup.
The qualification for the Asian teams was held from 6 to 11 February 2018, at the Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim in Alor Setar, Malaysia. The semi-finalist of the Asian qualification will qualified for the Thomas Cup. Thailand qualifying automatically as hosts.
The qualification for the European teams will held from 13 to 18 February 2018, at the Kazan Gymnastics Centre in Kazan, Russia. The semi-finalist of the European qualification will qualified for the Thomas Cup. Denmark qualified automatically as trophy holder.
The qualification for the Pan American teams was held from 15 to 18 February 2018, at the National Racket Centre in Tacarigua, Trinidad and Tobago. The winner of the Pan American qualification, Canada was qualified for the Thomas Cup.
The qualification for the Oceanian teams was held from 6 to 7 February 2018, at the Eastlink Badminton Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand. The winner of the Oceania qualification qualified for the Thomas Cup.
Below is the chart of the BWF World Team Ranking calculated by adding World Ranking of top three Men's Singles players and top two Men's Doubles pairs on 22 February 2018.[3][4]