World Snooker Championship 2026 Draw | Confirmed First Round ties at The Crucible

The draw for the 2026 World Snooker Championship has been confirmed, with Zhao Xintong to begin the defence of his title against Liam Highfield at The Crucible.

The sport’s annual show-piece features the world’s top 16 ranked players alongside a further 16 qualifiers as they battle it out for £2.4 million in prize money from April 18 to May 4.

A host of decorated stars and exciting emerging talents lock horns at the sport’s spiritual home – The Crucible Theatre – for the 50th consecutive staging in Sheffield.

Zhao made history by becoming the first Asian player to lift the World Championship trophy 12 months ago and will launch his quest to become the first player to break the infamous ‘Crucible curse’ when he faces Highfield – returning to the main event for the first time since 2022.

Meanwhile, Ronnie O’Sullivan starts his latest pursuit for a record-breaking eighth world title with a showdown against debutant He Guoqiang – one of a record 11 Chinese players in this year’s field.

World number one Judd Trump, World Champion in 2019 and twice a runner-up, has been drawn to face 2019 semi-finalist Gary Wilson.

One of the stand-out ties of the first round sees four-time World Champion John Higgins take on two-time world finalist Ali Carter.

Mark Selby commences his bid for a fifth Crucible crown with a clash against 2024 finalist Jak Jones – who defeated 2023 World Champion Luca Brecel in the final qualifying round.

Three-time World Champion Mark Williams has been handed a tie against 22-year-old Antoni Kowalski – who is making history as the first Polish player ever to compete at The Crucible.

Shaun Murphy, the 2005 World Champion, meets former European Masters champion Fan Zhengyi, while 2010 World Champion Neil Robertson faces a tricky opener against Pang Junxu.

Fifteen-time ranking event winner Ding Junhui, runner-up here in 2026, opens up against two-time semi-finalist David Gilbert.

Reigning Masters champion and 2024 World Champion Kyren Wilson will take on 19-year-old Stan Moody – the youngest British qualifier since Judd Trump back in 2007.

An all-Chinese affair sees back-to-back Wuhan Open champion Xiao Guodong face four-time ranking event finalist Zhou Yuelong, while 13th seed Chris Wakelin faces Yorkshire debutant Liam Pullen.

Former Masters and UK champion Mark Allen will open up against 2023 International Championship winner Zhang Anda in another tasty first round tie.

Barry Hawkins, runner-up in 2013, takes on two-time world finalist Matthew Stevens, while former semi-finalist Si Jiahui meets Iran’s Hossein Vafaei and tenth seed Wi Yize and Lei Peifan go head-to-head.

The full schedule of play will be confirmed in due course.

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World Snooker Championship 2026 Draw

Zhao Xintong (1) v Liam Highfield
Ding Junhui (16) v David Gilbert

Xiao Guodong (9) v Zhou Yuelong
Shaun Murphy (8) v Fan Zhengyi

John Higgins (5) v Ali Carter
Ronnie O’Sullivan (12) v He Guoqiang

Chris Wakelin (13) v Liam Pullen
Neil Robertson (4) v Pang Junxu

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Kyren Wilson (3) v Stan Moody
Mark Allen (14) v Zhang Anda

Barry Hawkins (11) v Matthew Stevens
Mark Williams (6) v Antoni Kowalski

Mark Selby (7) v Jak Jones
Wu Yize (10) v Lei Peifan

Si Jiahui (15) v Hossein Vafaei
Judd Trump (2) v Gary Wilson