World Snooker Championship 2026 qualifying as it happened – Updates, results and streaming details from Judgement Day

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World Snooker Championship 2026 qualifying live comments and streaming details. TNT Sports brings you frame-by-frame updates as the remaining eight spots at the Crucible are decided. Luca Brecel, the 2023 champion, faces Jak Jones in the pick of the bunch. Play begins at 11:00 UK time, with a further session at 17:00.

Former champion Brecel beaten in World Championship qualifying

Video credit: TNT Sports

Qualifying for the World Snooker Championship 2026 reaches its climax on Judgement Day.

The top 16 in the world booked their place at the Crucible's 50th edition automatically, with a further eight sealing their entry yesterday. On Wednesday, the final eight will be locked in.

Among the matches streaming live on TNT Sports and HBO Max are Ali Carter v Anthony McGill, Fan Zhengyi v Ben Mertens, and He Guoqiang v Jack Lisowski.

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But our focus for the live coverage below will be 2023 Crucible king Luca Brecel, who takes on world No. 19 Jak Jones.

Jones ends Brecel hopes with five-century show

A heavy-scoring Jak Jones will take his place in Thursday's draw for the last 32 of the World Championship after easing past 2023 Crucible winner Luca Brecel 10-5 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Wednesday.

Resuming 5-4 clear from an afternoon session that saw him run in three centuries, the 2024 finalist was in peak form, adding knocks of 69, 114, 71. 32 and 78 to complete a dominant victory with his opponent registering the 13th frame via a 79 clearance.

The 'Belgian Bullet' should also have won the 12th frame after getting the snooker he needed on the final red, but jawed the final black along the top cushion in losing a frame that probably ended any serious notions of overcoming the classy Welshman.

Jones will be joined at the Crucible by five-ton Zhang Anda, who enjoyed a 10-3 win over Zak Surety boosted by 109, 105, 134, 108 and 143, while Liam Highfield completed a thumping 10-2 win over Oliver Lines.

"I played well, I felt really good this morning," said Jones, who lost 18-14 to Kyren Wilson in the 2024 final.

"I love this format because you have time to get into the matches. Today is the best I have played all season.

"I enjoy the Crucible, you can crumble but I love the atmosphere, it's an unbelievable venue and that really gets me up for it."

Two-time finalist Ali Carter won five straight frames from 7-5 behind to overcome Anthony McGill 10-7, while former semi-finalist Gary Wilson finished with a 126 break in a 10-9 win over Xu Si, who led 9-8 from 7-2 then 8-4 behind.

But Northern Ireland Open winner Jack Lisowski will not be at the Crucible this year after losing 10-5 to He Guoqiang, who produced a 138 break to lead 5-0, in a surprise exit.

The draw for the the sport's biggest tournament takes place on Thursday morning at 8:45am UK time when the world's top 16 are paired with the 16 qualifiers.

Lisowski's World Championship qualifying hopes ended by Guoqiang

Video credit: TNT Sports

First session report

Jak Jones produced three centuries to edge clear of Luca Brecel 5-4 before the Crucible hopefuls play to a finish on Wednesday evening in the chase for a World Championship spot.

2024 finalist Jones compiled breaks of 136, 100, 61, 66 and 114 to eke out a narrow advantage against the 2023 world champion, who produced flashes of his own brilliance to lead 4-3 with 58, 63 and 109.

Elsewhere, on the sport's self-styled Judgement Day at the final qualifiers, Zhang Anda raced 8-1 clear of Zak Surety with a remarkable scoring burst of 80, 61, 109, 67, 105, 134, 108 and 68.

But Northern Ireland Open champion Jack Lisowski is in deep trouble, trailing He Guoqiang 6-3 with two-time finalist Ali Carter 5-4 behind against Anthony McGill, a former semi-finalist.

The second sessions are played to a conclusion from 17:00 on Wednesday evening ahead of the draw for the last 32 of the sport's biggest tournament on Thursday morning at 8:45am when the world's top 16 are paired with the 16 qualifiers.

Around the tables: final scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 10-5 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 10-5 Ryan Day
Xu Si 9-10 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 3-10 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 10-7 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 10-2 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 10-4 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 10-5 Jack Lisowski

- - -

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Result: Jones 10-5 Brecel

Jones 9-5 Brecel (78-48)

In goes the brown, and that is the game done and dusted. Luca Brecel offers the handshake. It is a 10-5 victory for the Welshman.

Jones 9-5 Brecel (58-48)

Jones in the lead by three points with two reds left on deck. And he brings out the final red off the other red. On the pink. Chance to get match won now. In goes pink. Up for the final red, and the match is surely a done deal now.

Jones 9-5 Brecel (23-48)

Still some work to do here with a red near a side rail. To get the frame won.

Jones 9-5 Brecel (9-48)

Luca goes for a red to the yellow bag, but well off the potting angle. Chance then for Jones to hit back. Opens up the reds off the black and those reds open nicely again.

Lisowski misses key blue in bid to qualify for World Snooker Championship

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jones 9-5 Brecel (0-33)

Brecel knows he can't really miss much when these chances come up. Jones is missing very little today or tonight.

Jones 9-5 Brecel (0-16)

Brilliant long red from Brecel to get started in this 15th frame. This match is reaching some standard.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 10-5 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 9-5 Ryan Day
Xu Si 6-8 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 3-10 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 8-7 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 10-2 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 10-4 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 9-5 Jack Lisowski

Jones 8-5 Brecel (132-0)

And that is supreme snooker from the Welshman. Total clearance of 132. One more frame required to progress.

Jones 8-5 Brecel (101-0)

And there is the fifth century of the match from Jones. Luca on the brink of defeat here. Jak missing little or nothing.

Jones 8-5 Brecel (71-0)

What a fabulous break from Jones. Super, super stuff. Another chance of a century. Brecel forced to sit and digest this.

Jones 8-5 Brecel (50-0)

Sizing up his options, and clatters the reds open via black. Brilliant shot. All the reds are splattered wide. Golden chance to move four ahead then.

Jones 8-5 Brecel (9-0)

First prod at these balls falls to Jones then as he tries to build a healthy lead.

Jones 8-5 Brecel (1-0)

Boys back on the baize after the break. Jones remains two away from the last 32. Lovely long red is canned by Jones.

Jones 8-4 Brecel (49-79)

A majestic clearance of 79 by Luca. Back to 8-5 behind. Still in the hunt.

Jones 8-4 Brecel (49-52)

Heading for the closing moments of this frame with Brecel chasing another huge steal. Nicely on the final red, and he powers it in. Can he see this frame home?

Jones 8-4 Brecel (49-0)

That missed black from Luca continues to linger on. Jones off and running again after an early error by the 2023 world champion. Looking to move five clear with only six to play. But he misses a tricky high black.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 9-5 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 8-5 Ryan Day
Xu Si 5-8 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 3-10 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 6-7 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 9-2 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 9-4 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 8-5 Jack Lisowski

Jones 7-4 Brecel (78-66)

Huge moment in the match as Brecel hits black in attempting the clearance, and then misses the black along top rail. Unbelievable as Jones finally sees it out for an 8-4 lead.

Jones 7-4 Brecel (71-46)

Luca battling hard to stay alive in this frame and match. 39 the difference then as Brecel lays a snooker, but Jones misses off two cushions. Well then. And a free ball. So that has changed the landscape. Suddenly, the frame back in the mixer. Brecel can't land on the final red from the green. Just safety to follow. And Jones makes an error from the safety. Huge chance for the steal then.

Jones 7-4 Brecel (71-9)

Break moves to 60 and a 52-point lead. Brecel seeing another frame slip away in little or not time at all. A predicted tight finish is looking like a procession. Brecel returns to table needing one snooker to tie.

Jones 7-4 Brecel (47-8)

Missing little or nothing out there. High black looked tricky, but Jak makes it look easy. Has not lacked flair or focus this evening. Really is getting through the white with some relish.

Jones 7-4 Brecel (38-8)

This looks like a significant chance for Jones to open up a four-frame lead.

Jones 7-4 Brecel (25-8)

Body language from Brecel has not been good this evening as a routine red isn't drained early on. Missed the boat with chance to level at 5-5, and suddenly Jones is looking to pile on the points at this visit.

Jones 6-4 Brecel (114-0)

Think this is what you call being in the zone. 114 of the very best from the 2024 Crucible finalist.

Jones 6-4 Brecel (89-0)

Such lovely ball striking by Jones out there. Brecel forced to sit and suck this up. But vital that he finds something soon in response, you would suggest.

Jones 6-4 Brecel (40-0)

Making some real progress here, and confidence is clearly growing in the Jones technique. Excellent pot on black and manages to open up a few more reds.

Jones 6-4 Brecel (32-0)

Black is freed up, and the balls are sitting nicely for another healthy contribution by the Welshman. Decent pot on brown to swing white around the table and back down for red along top cushion which is despatched.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 8-4 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 6-5 Ryan Day
Xu Si 3-7 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 3-9 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 5-7 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 8-2 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 8-4 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 7-5 Jack Lisowski

Jones 6-4 Brecel (4-0)

Early blunder by Brecel in this frame, and Jones is up and running again. What is the damage going to be here?

Jones 5-4 Brecel (70-52)

A superb break of 69 from Jones. And he moves two frames ahead in race to 10.

Jones 5-4 Brecel (55-52)

Down to the final red. Key positional shot from final red. Onto the blue, but colours are nicely poised if he lands on the yellow. In goes pink, and is onto the yellow with the rest. Key shot in frame. In goes yellow. Nicely on green. Should be 6-4 incoming.

Jones 5-4 Brecel (31-52)

Nothing safe on this table if Jones can keep tight control of this white. A few pots between the Welshman and a 6-4 lead.

Jones 5-4 Brecel (23-52)

Well, a rapid 52 but Brecel misses red bridging over another red. Tough cueing, and didn't have pace to reach pocket. Big chance for Jones to launch the counter clearance.

Jones 5-4 Brecel (1-39)

Luca with red to right centre. Wasn't easy, but made to look easy. In and out of baulk via blue, but holds up white to land on the red near green spot.

Jones 5-4 Brecel (1-8)

Great long red from Jones straight off the bat, but he then misses a black off the spot. Didn't expect that. Brecel handed chance to get cue arm working.

'Crowd absolutely loving this' - Brecel seals century in style to take seventh frame against Jones

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jones leads Brecel with three-ton burst

Jak Jones produced three centuries to edge clear of Luca Brecel 5-4 before the Crucible hopefuls play to a finish on Wednesday evening in the chase for a World Championship spot.

Elsewhere, on the sport's self-styled Judgement Day at the final qualifiers, Zhang Anda raced 8-1 clear of Zak Surety with a remarkable scoring burst of 80, 61, 109, 67, 105, 134, 108 and 68.

But Northern Ireland Open champion Jack Lisowski is in deep trouble, trailing He Guoqiang 6-3 with two-time finalist Ali Carter 5-4 behind against Anthony McGill, a former semi-finalist.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 6-4 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 5-4 Ryan Day
Xu Si 3-7 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-9 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 4-5 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 8-1 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 5-4 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 7-3 Jack Lisowski

Jones 4-4 Brecel (114-8)

An inspired clearance of 114 from Jak Jones. He leads 5-4 before they play to a finish at 5pm.

Jones 4-4 Brecel (85-8)

And this is going to be a 5-4 lead. Jones really finishing with a flourish out there.

Jones 4-4 Brecel (56-8)

Excellent recovery pot on a cutback black from Jak. Not far from the winning line in the frame. Could be another century on the cards here too.

Jones 4-4 Brecel (32-8)

This already looks ominous for Luca after missing that double. Was a loose effort and Jones is in the mood to punish today.

Jones 4-4 Brecel (16-8)

Jones with a cracking pot to the right middle and lands nicely on black too. Jones then with chance to build a lead in final frame of the session.

Jones 4-4 Brecel (0-8)

Super double on a red from Luca. Right into pack of reds off black. Not sure he has landed on much. Has a bang at another double, but well wide.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 5-4 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 4-4 Ryan Day
Xu Si 2-7 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-8 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 3-5 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 5-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 4-3 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 6-2 Jack Lisowski

Jones 3-4 Brecel (71-9)

A classy knock of 66 from the Welshman. Back to 4-4 with one more frame to come this afternoon.

Jones 3-4 Brecel (65-9)

Break reaches 54. And that is more or less a done deal for this eighth frame of a possible nine in the session.

Jones 3-4 Brecel (51-9)

Tough black is put away with a fine piece of cueing. Sets him up nicely for red to left centre. Should be 4-4 in next few minutes.

Jones 3-4 Brecel (21-9)

Have the feeling this could be 5-4 either way before the second session. Both men mixing some fine shot-making with the odd error here and there.

Jones 3-4 Brecel (5-9)

Excellent long red by Jak, but can't land on the pink. Just safety off the blue the order of the day. Luca with a fine cut on a black. But he misses the pink seconds later. Bad miss, and Jones handed an early reprieve.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 4-4 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 4-3 Ryan Day
Xu Si 2-7 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-7 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 3-5 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 5-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 3-3 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 6-1 Jack Lisowski

Jones 3-3 Brecel (4-109)

Can Luca come up with a century of his own here? Just punching away these balls. In goes the pink, and that is the ton. In full flow out there. 109 from Luca. He leads 4-3.

Jones 3-3 Brecel (0-69)

Much more like the Brecel who lifted the world title. Going to punish the Jones error by taking out frame in one visit surely.

Jones 3-3 Brecel (0-32)

Mood music in this match is changing with Jones failing to drop in a long red. Leaves an easy opener, and Brecel handed opportunity to make some progress in the seventh frame.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 3-3 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 3-3 Ryan Day
Xu Si 2-6 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-7 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 3-4 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 5-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 3-3 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 5-1 Jack Lisowski

Jones 3-2 Brecel (61-63)

Down to the final colours then. What a break this would be to level at 3-3. Nice from yellow to green to left middle. And on the brown. Which is dropped in. Blue is dropped to left middle with some certainty. Pink and black are downed for a massive steal with a 63 clearance. Back to 3-3.

Jones 3-2 Brecel (61-5)

Poor safety shot by Jones in failing to get green safe. Brecel with a corking opening red from distance. Chance to produce a massive steal here.

Jones 3-2 Brecel (61-0)

Brecel has not potted a ball in the three frames he has lost. On the cusp of losing another one here.

Jones 3-2 Brecel (40-0)

Some very decent positional play by Jones at close range. Showing the levels of form that helped him reach the final of this event two years ago. The world No. 19 dialled in here.

Jones 3-2 Brecel (6-0)

Little doubt that Jones is warming to the task here by leaving Brecel cold. Luca misses red with the rest. Which is bad news for him.

Jones 2-2 Brecel (80-0)

46 from Jones to go with the earlier run of 34 and that is two pretty solid scoring efforts. Gets the job done every day of the week. A 3-2 lead now for the 2024 finalist.

Jones 2-2 Brecel (40-0)

This match is due to be played to a finish at 5pm this evening. Not exactly a fast-flowing affair so far. But a blunder by Brecel hands another chance for Jones to launch another scoring visit in baulk.

Jones 2-2 Brecel (34-0)

Jones the heavier hitter so far in this match. First punch at these balls in frame five. Some nice pots to keep this break going. But he misses a tough plant on reds to left middle.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 3-3 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 3-2 Ryan Day
Xu Si 2-6 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-6 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 3-4 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 4-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 2-3 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 5-1 Jack Lisowski

Jones 1-2 Brecel (100-0)

A sparkling run of 100 from Jones to go with the 136 in the second frame. This match is level at 2-2. Five more frames to come in this first session.

Jones 1-2 Brecel (43-0)

Jak into the pack off the blue, but doesn't land nicely on next red. A fine recovery pot by the 2024 runner-up should pave the way to 2-2.

Jones 1-2 Brecel (17-0)

One more frame to come before mid-sesh. Jak with first prod at these balls. 2-2 would be about right on the balance of play, you would suggest.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 2-2 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 2-1 Ryan Day
Xu Si 1-3 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-3 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 1-3 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 3-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 1-1 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 3-0 Jack Lisowski

Jones 1-1 Brecel (26-61)

Down goes frame-ball yellow from Luca. But Jones will continue to play on requiring one snooker. Until he wallops the black trying to escape from a snooker. And he gives the nod to Luca, who leads 2-1.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (26-52)

So many chances coming and going until Luca drains a majestic long red. What a fine pot that is. But he then misses frame-ball yellow from distance. Not what he expects under pressure.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (26-51)

Down to the final red in what is quite a nervy battle to claim this third frame.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (17-51)

The counter-attack is underway from Jones. But he misses a tough red along the top rail. Bad miss really. And Brecel returns to the table only to miss a yellow to left middle. Incredible miss.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (1-50)

Reaches 49 before he misses a blue to a yellow pocket. That was a big ask. Luca looking a touch confused back in his chair.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (1-41)

Some lovely early balls to the centre bags by Brecel in this latest break. Looks to be in fine touch with both his scoring and safety game in Sheffield. The 2023 world champion looking to rediscover peak form at the sport's biggest event.

Jones 1-1 Brecel (1-1)

Bit of an early safety battle in this third frame. Jones trying to keep the white tight to baulk cushion. But Brecel with a fine pot on a red to right middle. Not on a colour though. More safety on the go out there.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (136-0)

Total clearance of 136. "Shows how important the safety is. One loose safety shot from Brecel, end of frame," says 1986 world champion Joe Johnson on TNT Sports.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (101-0)

These balls are being put away superbly by Jones. Looks in very fine touch, and reminding Brecel that he is in the mood to do some damage.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (66-0)

Could be a century from the Welshman in this second frame. Balls nicely placed for a hefty contribution. Battle is joined in Sheffield.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (41-0)

Jones among the balls here. Looking to restore parity with a one-visit kill after Brecel blundered with the safety shot. Important to punish the man in the other seat when the chances come along.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (19-0)

Jone lost 10-4 in the first round to Zhao Xintong last year. So has plenty of experience of colliding with Crucible winners.

Jones 0-1 Brecel (1-0)

Poor safety shot by Brecel early in the second frame presents Jones with chance of a long red hanging over a top pocket.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 1-2 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 2-1 Ryan Day
Xu Si 1-3 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 1-3 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 1-3 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 3-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 1-1 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 3-0 Jack Lisowski

Jones 0-0 Brecel (2-81)

Lovely opening knock of 58 by the 'Belgian Bullet'. He leads 1-0 in the race to 10.

Jones 0-0 Brecel (2-73)

Brecel looks to be in fine potting condition this morning. Making a very promising start to this morning session.

Jones 0-0 Brecel (2-60)

Luca with chance to get frame on the board. Lovely shot with the rest to slot in a red before pounding away a pink to right centre. In goes frame-ball red, and this looks good for a 1-0 lead.

Jones 0-0 Brecel (2-23)

Not exactly an assured start to this match with Brecel taking his time over his shots as he tries to play himself into some flow.

What happened in yesterday's matches?

Tuesday's matches

Stuart Bingham 7-10 Matthew Stevens
Hossein Vafaei 10-4 Gao Yang
Aaron Hill 6-10 David Gilbert
Michael Holt 4-10 Zhou Yuelong
Jiang Jun 9-10 Stan Moody
Antoni Kowalski 10-8 Jamie Jones
Jackson Page 8-10 Pang Junxu
Noppon Saengkham 8-10 Liam Pullen

Jones 0-0 Brecel (2-6)

Both men feeling their way into this contest. Brecel is the 2023 world champion, and Jones the 2024 runner-up. So plenty of pedigree between both players at the Crucible.

Around the tables: latest scores

Wednesday's matches

Jak Jones 0-0 Luca Brecel
Lei Peifan 0-0 Ryan Day
Xu Si 0-1 Gary Wilson
Zak Surety 0-0 Zhang Anda
Ali Carter 0-0 Anthony McGill
Liam Highfield 0-0 Oliver Lines
Fan Zhengyi 0-0 Ben Mertens
He Guoqiang 0-0 Jack Lisowski

How much did Pullen miss out on?

Liam Pullen is taking part in Judgement Day in the World Snooker Championship 2026 qualifiers but a miss on the way to a 147 break proved costly for the 20-year-old on Tuesday despite his 10-8 win over Noppon Saengkham.

How much missing 14th black on route to 147 cost Pullen

14/04/2026 at 16:10

‘Oh no!’ – Pullen misses 14th black to end hopes of pocketing huge 147 bonus

Video credit: TNT Sports

World Championship qualifying LIVE - Brecel v Jones

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from the final stage of qualifying for the World Snooker Championship 2026.

Play begins at 11:00 UK time.

How to watch and stream the World Snooker Championship 2026

You can watch every day of the World Snooker Championship 2026 live on TNT Sports.

It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

For the latest information on which snooker events are on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.

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