Moody Qualifies for Crucible as Stevens Beats Bingham in World Snooker Qualifiers

Matthew Stevens defeated Stuart Bingham 10-7 to qualify for the 2026 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. Hossein Vafaei and Antoni Kowalski also secured places, with Kowalski becoming Poland's first finalist. Final qualifying matches continue ahead of the main event.

Stevens Defeats Bingham to Secure Crucible Spot

Former world snooker champion Stuart Bingham did not qualify for the 2026 World Snooker Championship after losing 10-7 to two-time runner-up Matthew Stevens in the final qualifying round.

Bingham, aged 49, who won the world title in 2015, is currently ranked 17th globally. Since only the top 16 players qualify automatically, he had to compete in two qualifying rounds.

Stevens, a 48-year-old Welsh player who was runner-up in 2000 and 2005, earned his place in the main tournament at the Crucible for the first time since 2022.

During the match, Bingham trailed 5-4 but then potted 12 reds and 11 blacks, positioning himself for a maximum 147 break. However, he missed the 12th black off its spot, concluding the break at 89 points.

Stevens then won four consecutive frames, moving one frame from victory. Although he missed a chance to close the match in frame 15, he secured the win in the following frame.

"I can still play a little bit, which I proved today and I'm really happy," said Stevens, who is ranked 48th. "It's nice to be back, I'm nearly 50 and I don't play as much as I used to. I was relaxed and Stuart didn't play at his our best, otherwise he would've beaten me."

Iran's Hossein Vafaei Among Crucible Qualifiers

Hossein Vafaei from Iran qualified for the fifth consecutive year after defeating China's Gao Yang 10-4.

"This morning I was not well at all," Vafaei said. "It wasn't a great match, my opponent is hungry and young and he is my practice partner - every day I practise with him and he's such a great talent, but we didn't play that well. I'm fighting as well for my country, for my family and I'm trying my best and will give it my all. The Crucible is a fantastic place for snooker and we love to play in front of snooker lovers, especially at the Crucible."

Antoni Kowalski Makes History for Poland

Antoni Kowalski, aged 22, became the first player from Poland to qualify for the World Snooker Championship finals after a 10-8 victory over Wales' Jamie Jones.

Ad (970x250)

Ad (425x293)

Kowalski, who faced losing his tour card if defeated, was emotional after the win.

"I never cry, so that's the perfect explanation of what it means to me," he said. "I'm going to realise one of my biggest dreams and play at the 'Theatre of Dreams'. I'm not based in the UK so it is more special, and my girlfriend and my parents will come to the Crucible. At the end of the first session and beginning of the second I was absolutely gone, then I stopped thinking, turned off my brain and just played."

Additionally, China's Zhou Yuelong defeated England's Michael Holt 10-4.

Upcoming Matches and Tournament Details

The final eight qualifying spots will be decided on Wednesday. Notable matches include Belgium's Luca Brecel, the 2023 champion, facing 2024 runner-up Jak Jones of Wales.

Two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter and Jack Lisowski, who won his first ranking tournament at the Northern Ireland Open in October, are also competing.

The first round of the World Snooker Championship begins on Saturday, with the final scheduled for Sunday, 3 May, concluding the following day. The BBC will provide full live coverage of the tournament.

The draw will feature the top 16 ranked players and 16 qualifiers, and will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live at 08:45 BST on Thursday.