Jack Lisowski’s quest for the World Snooker Championship 2026 has come to an end after a 10-5 defeat to China’s He Guoqiang in the final qualifying round on Judgement Day. Lisowski, who had earlier secured a 10-7 victory over Umut Dikme, was unable to recover after losing the opening five frames to He, despite mounting a late fightback in the evening session.
The promising start to 2026 for Lisowski included winning the Home Nations Series bonus of £150,000, a feat achieved despite his recent runner-up finish at the Welsh Open where he lost to Barry Hawkins. This success also saw him surpass Mark Allen as the highest earner across the four Home Nations competitions. Last October, he captured the Northern Ireland Open title by narrowly defeating Judd Trump, but now he will miss the prestigious event in Sheffield where 32 competitors compete for the world title.
Lisowski was not the only notable name to miss out on the main draw. Reigning 2023 champion Luca Brecel was also eliminated after a 10-5 loss to Jak Jones. Additionally, former world champion Stuart Bingham, winner of the 2015 title, bowed out following a 10-7 defeat to Matthew Stevens. Bingham, 49, has now missed consecutive World Championships.
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The 2026 World Championship officially begins at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield next Monday. Players including Mark Allen, Xiao Guodong, Mark Williams, Barry Hawkins, and Zhao Xintong are all set to compete. Zhao Xintong arrives in superb form, fresh from a commanding win over Judd Trump in the Tour Championship final. His recent success has positioned him as a favorite, and he is aiming to defend his World Championship title after making history by winning all three Players Series events in a single season—the World Grand Prix, Players Championship, and Tour Championship.
After his Tour Championship victory, Xintong expressed his excitement: “This is a big moment for me. Judd Trump is my favourite player. I am really happy and lucky that tonight I am the one that has won. It may look easy but actually I was very nervous. I am happy to have won all six of the finals I’ve been in.”
With the World’s top players preparing to battle for snooker’s most coveted trophy, fans can expect a thrilling championship ahead.