The International Table Tennis Federation  (ITTF) has been pondering relentlessly on how to infuse more thrill and excitement into table tennis matches, all while making them more captivating and enjoyable. At long last, they have stumbled upon a brilliant idea.

In a bold and pioneering maneuver, the ITTF is revolutionizing the 2023 World Cup, scheduled for December in Chengdu. By ushering in an ingenious mixed team format that integrates men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, this innovative concept not only champions the principles of gender equality and diversity but also underscores the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation within the sport. 

In this highly anticipated edition of the World Cup, each team will comprise 3 or 4 male and female players, resulting in a sensational fusion of talent on the table. The competition introduces a thrilling twist to the proceedings through its distinctive order of play: commencing with mixed doubles, followed by women's singles (excluding participants from mixed doubles), then men's singles (excluding participants from mixed doubles), and finally women's doubles/men's doubles (if necessary), and men's doubles/women's doubles (if necessary).

The sequence of matches for the last two encounters will be decided in advance by the team captain of the lower-ranked team, introducing an element of strategy and suspense to each showdown. Each individual match within a team clash will unfold across 3 games, resulting in a score of either 3-0 or 2-1. The team matches will continue until one team accumulates 8 games, thereby clinching a win. 

In conjunction with the new format, the tournament presents a remarkable prize pool of $800,000, undoubtedly serving as a powerful incentive for players to showcase their utmost skills and prowess on the global platform. 

"We extend a warm invitation to global table tennis stars to join us in Chengdu, a region with a deep-rooted table tennis culture," said Liu Guoliang, the deputy president of the ITTF. "The city's fans are known for their enthusiasm and unwavering support, creating an extraordinary atmosphere."  

"Chengdu is no stranger to hosting memorable events such as the World Championships Finals in 2022, and the upcoming Mixed Team World Cup promises to be another thrilling spectacle," he added. 

"It's not just a competition; it's a celebration of our sport."