The draw for the 2019 World Cup of Pool has been made, with China to start their title defence against Sweden and hosts Great Britain A to face Malta in round one.
Tickets are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com for pool’s biggest doubles event, which takes place at Morningside Arena, Leicester from June 25-30, live on Sky Sports.
Wu Jiaqing and Liu Haitao will represent China but their quest to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title will be given a though examination in round one as they come up against Sweden, comprised of Tomas Larsson and European Mosconi Cup captain Marcus Chamat on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 25.
As hosts, Great Britain have two teams in the event. Great Britain A (Jayson Shaw and Chris Melling) being their World Cup on the Wednesday evening against Malta, who include cue legend Tony Drago alongside Clayton Castaldi. Great Britain B (Imran Majid and Mark Gray) face Chile (Enrique Rojas / Alejandro Carvajal) during Tuesday evening’s session.
World Cup of Pool Draw:
China v. Sweden
Great Britain B v. Chile
Holland v. South Africa
USA v. Brazil
Philippines v. Czech Republic
Russia v. Albania
Canada v. France
Germany v. Estonia
Chinese Taipei v. Saudi Arabia
Greece v. New Zealand
Japan v. Hong Kong
Austria v. European Qualifier
Spain v. Australia
Finland v. Singapore
Poland v. Italy
Great Britain A v. Malta
World Cup of Pool Round 1 Schedule:
Tuesday, June 25 (Afternoon session)
China v. Sweden
Holland v. South Africa
Russia v. Albania
Tuesday, June 25 (Evening session)
USA v. Brazil
Philippines v. Czech Republic
Great Britain B v. Chile
Wednesday, June 26 (Afternoon session)
Germany v. Estonia
Chinese Taipei v. Saudi Arabia
Japan v. Hong Kong
Wednesday, June 26 (Evening session)
Canada v. France
Greece v. New Zealand
Great Britain A v. Malta
Thursday, June 27 (Afternoon session)
Austria v. European Qualifier
Finland v. Singapore
Poland v. Italy
Thursday, June 27 (Evening session)
Spain v. Australia
Round Two:
China/Sweden v. Great Britain B/Chile
Holland/South Africa v. USA/Brazil
Tickets for the 2019 World Cup of Pool are on sale now at www.matchroompool.com priced at £5 for weekday afternoons and £10 for weekday evenings and weekend sessions. A season ticket is available for £75 with premium ticket packages available for weekend days including food and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.
The 2019 World Cup of Pool features 32 two-player teams battling for the $60,000 first prize from a total prize fund of $250,000. Matches are race to 7 in the first two rounds, race to 9 in the quarter and semi-finals and, for the first time, race to 11 in the final.