5th January, Hong Kong, China: Twenty-six countries and territories will battle for glory when the 2025 IBF World Cup gets underway at the newly-opened Top Bowl, Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon from January 7 to 14, 2025.

Thirteen countries and territories from Asia namely China, Hong Kong, India, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan; three countries from Oceania namely Australia, Guam and New Zealand; four countries from Europe namely Catalan, Denmark, Germany and Sweden; and six countries from PanAm namely, Bahamas, Bermuda, COsta Rica, Peru, Puerto Rico and United States of America will be participating.

A total of 100 men, 52 women and 66 team officials and coaches have been registered and confirmed at the Team Managers' Meeting held at HKSI Lecture Theatre, Shatin this evening.

Chairing the meeting was Mr Michael Seymour, CEO of IBF and Tournament Director, joined by Ms Vivien Lau, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Organising Committee and host, Hong Kong China Tenpin Bowling Congress, Mr John Janawicz, Technical Delegate from Kegel Inc., Dr Danny Santos, Assistant Host Tournament Co-Ordinator and Mr William Yau, Host Tournament Co-Ordinator.

Mr Seymour gave a brief explanation on the frequent changes made to the schedule as well as the format based on the final number of countries taking part. He went through the schedule in detail and explained the groupings and pools for both the Singles and the Team events.

He also handed out the random draws for the Singles with the Teams later in the week. The lane assignments for the official practice, which is scheduled for 6th January, was also handed out. Based on the number of participants for the men and women divisions, four groups (2 Pools) for the men and four groups (1 Pool) for the women will be used.

The top 4 men from each group after the first round of match plays (6 matches on the first day, 7 matches on the second day) will advance to the Top 32 knockout rounds while the top 8 women from each group after the first round of match plays (7 matches on the first day and 6 matches on the second day) will advance to the Top 32 knockout rounds.

A best-of-five head-to-head elimination matches will be the format for the Top 32 men and women rounds and the field will be cut to the Top 16, then 8 (quarter finals), 4 (semi-finals) and 2 (final).