Serving History in Egypt: Cairo to Host First-Ever 16&Under Tennis World Cup on African Soil
CAIRO, Egypt — In a landmark moment for African and Middle Eastern sports, the Egyptian Tennis Federation (ETF), in partnership with World Tennis, has officially announced that Cairo will host the prestigious 2026 boys’ Davis Cup Juniors Finals and girls’ Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Juniors Finals from 2-8 November 2026.
This selection marks the very first time in history that an African nation has been chosen to host these prestigious 16&under world team championships, reinforcing Egypt’s status as a premier global hub for international athletics.
David Haggerty, World Tennis President, emphasized the magnitude of the announcement. “This is a historic moment, not only for Egyptian tennis, but also for tennis in Africa and the Middle East,” Haggerty stated.
For one exhilarating week in November, the eyes of the global tennis community will turn to Egypt as 32 powerhouse nations —fielding 16 boys’ and 16 girls’ teams— send their top 16&under athletes to compete for the ultimate junior team world titles. The dual tournaments represent the highest pinnacle of international competition for rising tennis stars, serving as the launching pad for future Grand Slam champions. Adding to the historic significance of the event, both the Egyptian boys’ and girls’ national teams will be proudly competing in these championships on home soil.
Ismail Elshafei, Chairman of the Egyptian Tennis Federation, expressed immense pride in the achievement and the longstanding collaboration with World Tennis. “On behalf of the Egyptian Tennis Federation, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to World Tennis for placing its trust in Egypt,” Elshafei stated.
To accommodate the athletes and fans, the ETF is working closely with its premier hosting partner, Smash Sporting Club. Known for its world-class clay courts, premier athlete facilities, and highly experienced operational leadership, Smash Sporting Club has built an international reputation for flawless tournament execution. “Working closely with our hosting partner, Smash Sporting Club… we are both fully committed to providing the highest standards of organization, hospitality, and competition,” Elshafei emphasized.
Reflecting on the choice of venue and operations, Haggerty added, “We are confident that Cairo will be a superb host city for this event, giving players the opportunity to create lifelong memories both on and off the court”.
By bringing the world’s elite junior talent to Cairo, the ETF and Smash Sporting Club aim to ignite a passion for the game among young athletes across Egypt and the African continent. With the countdown to November officially underway, the focus now shifts to delivering a flawless tournament experience from the first serve to the final match point.