Israel & Philippines To Make World Team Debuts In Malaysia

Israel and Philippines will make their debuts in the 2021 WSF Men's World Team Championship - two of 27 teams which will participate in the biennial event set to take place at the Bukit Jalil National Squash Centre in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur from 07-12 December.

Five-time champions Egypt will be favourites to defend their crown for the third successive time, with the country boasting seven of the world's top ten ranked players, including world No.1 Ali Farag (pictured).

The most likely rivals for the crown are five-time winners England, who will be eager to recapture the title they last won in 2013, and France, who are seeking a first ever championship.

Also hunting their maiden title will be Malaysia. The hosts will go into the tournament hoping to improve on a best-ever 5th place finish in 2011.

Though Israel have previously competed in the Women's World Team Championship, this will be their first appearance in the men's event - whilst Philippines will be marking the nation's first ever participation in any WSF world team championship, senior or junior.

Reacting to the announcement, WSF President Zena Wooldridge said: "After almost two years of Covid disruption we feel a combination of huge relief and excitement that the Men's World Team Championships is able to proceed, and with so many nations competing. It reflects the resilience and vitality of the sport and is hopefully an important springboard to the resumption of a full international calendar of squash in 2022.

"Our thanks to President Gerard Monteiro and his experienced team at SRAM for taking on the hosting of the Championship in very challenging circumstances. We look forward to the world's best players meeting once again for a spectacular week of highly competitive squash for one of the most coveted titles in the sport."

Meanwhile, SRAM President Gerard Monteiro said: "We are delighted to welcome some of the world's finest players to Malaysia. We at SRAM look forward to delivering an exciting, safe and competitive tournament and I wish the best of luck to Malaysia's Eain Yow Ng and his teammates, and to all teams competing. I am sure that all in attendance will leave with fond memories of incredible squash, and of our famous Malaysian hospitality."

The only other two nations to have won the tournament, Australia and Pakistan, are also in attendance. Australia, the most successful team in the history of the tournament with eight titles, will be hoping for a major upset after a tenth-placed finish in 2019, as will six-time winners Pakistan, who are without a title since 1993.

2021 WSF Men's World Team Squash Championships entries:

Argentina
Australia
Canada
Colombia
Czech Republic
Egypt
England
France
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Iran
Israel
Japan
Kuwait
Malaysia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Russia
Scotland
South Africa
Spain
Switzerland
USA