The table tennis World Championships were first held in 1926.
The inaugural tournament took place in London, where competitors played the emerging international sport under the newly established International Table Tennis Federation. The event included singles, doubles and team competitions, helping create a common championship structure for national associations.
Hungary was especially successful at the early championships, reflecting the strength of Central European table tennis during the sport’s formative decades. The championships later became one of the most important events on the international calendar.
The schedule has changed over time. The tournament was initially held annually, then became biennial for many editions. Team and individual competitions have also been separated in some modern editions, but the 1926 London event remains the starting point of the World Championships tradition.