History made as inaugural Spelling Bee World Cup crowns first champions
The competition began with age-category championships, where spellers from grade one through grade 12 competed to determine world champions in each division.
History was made in Shanghai as young spellers from around the globe gathered for the inaugural Spelling Bee World Cup, while leaders and advocates for literacy simultaneously launched the World Spelling Bee Association (WSBA), marking a significant milestone in the growth of competitive spelling worldwide.
The Spelling Bee World Cup 2026 brought together competitors from China, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore and the United States of America (USA), showcasing the growing international reach of spelling as an educational sport.
The competition began with age-category championships, where spellers from grade one through grade 12 competed to determine world champions in each division.
Contestants faced a demanding series of challenges that combined traditional oral spelling with innovative formats, including an AI-powered elimination round, reflecting the evolving future of academic competition. The tournament culminated in the highly anticipated Elite Mixed Division, featuring some of the world’s finest young spellers.
Reigning 2025 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion, Faizan Zaki (USA) faced intense competition from Cheng Jianzhen (China) and other competitors.
After a gripping final, Zaki narrowly edged Cheng Jianzhen to become the first-ever World Spelling Bee Champion. Â The top five spellers of the Spelling Bee World Cup are:
- Faizan Zaki (USA)
- Cheng Jianzhen (China)
- Su Xin (China)
- Reyanch Shitij Agrawaal (India)
- Ping Lefeng (China)
Beyond the competition itself, the formal launch of the World Spelling Bee Association (WSBA) brings together spelling organisations from Africa and Asia to establish a collaborative global body dedicated to expanding spelling education, promoting literacy and fostering international co-operation through academic competition.
ALSO READ: Team South Africa triumphs at the eighth African Spelling Bee
Speaking at the launch, head of the China Spelling Bee and World Spelling Bee co-founder, Mr Dean Zhang, described the establishment of the Association as ‘an historic event that marks the beginning of a new era for global cooperation and the pursuit of education excellence around the world’.
Representing the African Spelling Bee Federation, South Africa’s Mr Roger Dickinson said that in a world that seems to be pulling itself apart, this coming together of literary excellence and cultural exchange demonstrates what is possible in creating a new vision for children from all walks of life.
The newly established World Spelling Bee Association announced that its Founding Congress will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in January 2027, where member countries will adopt the Association’s constitution, elect its first executive leadership and set the strategic direction for the organisation.
Plans were also confirmed for future editions of the Spelling Bee World Cup. Beijing, China, will host the 2027 Spelling Bee World Cup, while South Africa has been selected to host the 2028 Spelling Bee World Cup, further strengthening the event’s global footprint and reinforcing the partnership between African and Asian spelling organisations.
The inaugural Spelling Bee World Cup demonstrated that spelling has become far more than a classroom activity.
By bringing together diverse cultures, educational systems and innovative competition formats, the event highlighted the power of literacy to unite young people across borders while celebrating excellence, perseverance and friendship.
As the World Spelling Bee Association begins its work, organisers believe the foundations have now been laid for a truly global movement that will inspire millions of young learners and establish spelling as one of the world’s premier academic competitions.
