Schedule and Opponents for Ukrainian Snooker Players
The schedule and opponents for Ukrainian snooker players in the 2026 World Championship qualifiers have been announced. The qualifying event will be held from April 6th to 11th at the English Institute of Sport arena in Sheffield. Ukraine will be represented by three players: Julian Boiko, Anton Kazakov, and Mykhailo Larkov.
Julian Boiko, who holds the highest ranking among the Ukrainians, will begin his campaign in the second round on April 8th. Boiko's opponent will be determined by the match between Mitchell Mann and Wang Xinbo. Boiko's personal best is reaching the third qualifying round in both 2023 and 2025.
Anton Kazakov, aged 21, will start his qualification on April 6th with a match against Dylan Emery. Mykhailo Larkov, an 18-year-old debutant at this level, will compete against Ross Muir. Larkov only began playing snooker in 2022 and has already become a world junior champion.
Qualification Format
The World Snooker Championship qualification consists of four playoff rounds, featuring players seeded from 17th position and below. The qualification matches are played in a best-of-19 frames format, meaning the first player to win 10 frames advances. Matches are divided into two sessions.
The Ukrainian snooker players and their qualification opponents are as follows:
- Julian Boiko (starts in the second round on April 8th) - winner of the Mitchell Mann / Wang Xinbo match.
- Anton Kazakov (April 6th) - Dylan Emery.
- Mykhailo Larkov - Ross Muir.
These competitions promise intriguing matches and an opportunity for the Ukrainian players to showcase their skills on the international stage. The World Championship is the sport's most prestigious event, making qualification a significant challenge.
The World Championship qualifiers are a crucial stage for Ukrainian players, allowing them to compete against the world's best snooker professionals. Strong performances here can boost their rankings and provide further support for the development of snooker in Ukraine. In particular, Mykhailo Larkov's debut in such a prestigious event opens new opportunities for young talents in the sport.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming qualifiers, it's important to note that the national team is also preparing for other significant tournaments. Recently, Ukraine's squad for the World Cup playoffs was revealed, highlighting the potential debut of two new players. This showcases the growing talent within Ukrainian sports, as both snooker and football aim for success on the international stage.