Young spellers from around the world made history in Shanghai, China, as the inaugural Spelling Bee World Cup 2026 crowned its first-ever world champion and saw the launch of the World Spelling Bee Association (WSBA).
The competition brought together learners from 11 countries, including South Africa, China, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Japan, Singapore and the United States, highlighting the growing global reach of competitive spelling.
Contestants competed across Grade 1 to Grade 12 divisions before advancing to the Elite Mixed Division, where the world’s top young spellers battled for the inaugural title. After a closely contested final, Faizan Zaki of the United States emerged as the first-ever Spelling Bee World Cup champion, finishing ahead of China’s Cheng Jianzhen. The top five also included Su Xin (China), Reyanch Shitij Agrawaal (India) and Ping Lefeng (China).
Beyond the competition, spelling organisations from Africa and Asia officially launched the World Spelling Bee Association, a new international body that aims to promote literacy, strengthen spelling education and encourage global collaboration through academic competition.
Speaking at the launch, World Spelling Bee Co-founder Dean Zhang described the association as the start of “a new era for global cooperation and educational excellence.” South Africa’s Roger Dickinson, representing the African Spelling Bee Federation, said the initiative demonstrates how education and cultural exchange can bring young people together across borders.
Organisers also announced that Beijing will host the 2027 Spelling Bee World Cup, while South Africa has been selected to host the 2028 tournament, reinforcing the country’s growing role in promoting literacy and academic excellence on the global stage.
