Denmark won the Thomas Cup in 2016 by beating Indonesia 3-2 in Kunshan, China, becoming the first European winner and the fifth nation ever to lift the men’s world team badminton trophy. A decade later it remains the only time a non-Asian team has won.
Here are ten reasons why the Danish win mattered, updated through the 2026 edition, which Denmark hosted in Horsens.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Trophy | Thomas Cup, men’s world team championship, first held 1948-49 |
| Denmark’s win | 2016, 3-2 over Indonesia |
| Denmark’s finals reached before winning | Eight (1949, 1955, 1964, 1973, 1979, 1996, 2004, 2006), then the 2016 win |
| Winners to date | Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Japan, Denmark, India |
| Most titles | Indonesia 14, China 12, Malaysia 5 |
| Latest edition | 2026, Horsens: China beat France |
1. Denmark was the first winner from outside Asia
Badminton is the sport of Asia, and Indonesia, China and Malaysia had split the trophy for decades. Denmark’s 2016 victory made it the first European winner. Through 2026 it is still the only time a non-Asian team has won.
Denmark has appeared at the final stage in every one of the 34 editions so far, more than almost anyone, and never needed a bye to get there.
2. Denmark became the fifth nation to lift it
Five nations had won by 2016: Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan in 2014 and then Denmark. India later became the sixth when it beat title holders Indonesia 3-0 in 2022, the only other nation to break in since 2016.
3. Denmark waited 67 years
The first Thomas Cup tournament was in 1948-49, and Denmark was in it. They lost the first final to Malaya, and it took 67 years to turn that around. Along the way Denmark was also runner-up in 1955, 1964, 1973, 1979, 1996, 2004 and 2006.
4. The seeds were with them, but the draw was brutal
Denmark came in as the second seed in the March 2016 world ranking behind host China, who were knocked out by South Korea in the quarter-finals. Denmark then beat Japan, the defending champions, and Malaysia in tight 3-2 ties to reach the final.
5. They won the group stage with ease
Placed in Group D, Denmark beat South Africa 5-0, New Zealand 5-0 and Chinese Taipei 3-2.
6. The decider came from outside the top ten
The final went to a fifth match. Viktor Axelsen beat Tommy Sugiarto, Jan Jorgensen beat Anthony Ginting, and Indonesia answered both times in the doubles. At 2-2, Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, then ranked 13th in the world, beat Ihsan Maulana Mustofa to win the title. His teammates let him lift the trophy first.
7. A new era for Axelsen
Axelsen went on to win the 2020 and 2024 Olympic gold medals in men’s singles and two world titles, spending 183 weeks at world number one (as of August 2024). Vittinghus retired in November 2023. Denmark’s golden generation delivered a lot beyond one cup.
8. Peter Gade never got to lift it
Gade retired from international competition in 2012 without ever winning the team trophy. His era showed that individual stars alone were not enough, and the 2016 team showed what depth could do.
9. Denmark is the cleanest country in the world
In the Corruption Perceptions Index for 2025, published in February 2026, Denmark topped the table with 89, ahead of Finland (88). It is a tidy match for a team that played by the rules and waited its turn. Read more in our list of the most corruption-free countries.
10. Danes are among the happiest people
Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for nine years in a row as of March 2026, and Denmark has regularly been among the very top. A culture that rewards patience helps if you are trying to win a trophy after 67 years.
What happened after 2016
Denmark did not repeat. India won in 2022, and China won in 2026 in Horsens, Denmark, beating France in the final. China now has 12 titles to Indonesia’s 14.
Keep reading
- Top corruption-free countries: the other thing Denmark is famous for.
FAQ
Who won the Thomas Cup in 2016?
Denmark, who beat Indonesia 3-2 in the final in Kunshan, China. It was the first time a European team won and the fifth nation overall.
Who has won the most Thomas Cups?
Indonesia with 14 titles, followed by China with 12 and Malaysia with 5.
Has a non-Asian team won the Thomas Cup since 2016?
No. Denmark remains the only non-Asian champion, and India won in 2022.
Who won the 2026 Thomas Cup?
China, who beat France in the final at Horsens, Denmark, held between April 24 and May 3, 2026.
Who played the deciding match for Denmark in 2016?
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, then ranked 13th in the world, beat Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa to clinch the title.
Last updated: October 2026.
