The London 2026 group stage delivered a second seismic result for the hosts to enjoy: Korea Republic stunned China on Day 5, the same window in which Sweden’s men toppled the champions. With the upsets banked, the championships moved to the larger OVO Arena Wembley for the knockout rounds.
China would have the final word — avenging the loss against Korea Republic in the quarter-finals and going on to take the title — but the group-stage defeat was a rare crack in the women’s team aura and a reminder of how much the chasing pack has closed in since Tokyo.
A tournament that refused to be a procession
Between Sweden’s men and Korea Republic’s women, the early days in London handed the sport its most competitive team championships in years — before the seeding reasserted itself when the medals were on the line.