The qualifying process for the 1988 Thomas Cup took place from 23 to 28 February 1988 to decide the final teams which will play in the final tournament.
Qualification process The qualification process will be divided into four regions, the Asian Zone, the European Zone, the Oceania Zone and the Pan American Zone. Teams in their respective zone will first compete in a round-robin elimination format. The top two teams will advance to the knockout stages to compete for a place in the final tournament to be held in Kuala Lumpur.
China qualified for the final tournament as defending champions while Malaysia qualified as hosts.
Qualified teams Country Qualified as Qualified on Final appearance1988 Thomas Cup hosts6 October 198712th 1986 Thomas Cup winners4 May 19864thAsian Zone winners27 February 19885thEuropean Zone winners28 February 198815th European Zone runners-up28 February 19884thThird place in European Zone28 February 19883rdOceania Zone winners28 February 198812th American Zone winners27 February 19883rd
Asian Zone The qualification rounds for the Asian Zone were held from 23 to 27 February at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India. Five teams took part in qualifying for the final tournament.
Round robin
European Zone The European qualifying rounds were held in Sporthallen Zuid in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Seventeen teams took part in the qualifiers with Spain making their debut in the competition.
Group stage Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Knockout stage
Semi-finals
Third place
Final
Oceania Zone The qualification rounds for the Oceania Zone were held from 26 to 28 February at the Altona Hall in Melbourne, Australia. Four teams took part in qualifying for the final tournament.
Round robin
Pan American Zone The qualifying rounds for the Pan American zone were held at the San Jose Convention and Cultural Center in San Jose, United States. Eight teams competed in qualifying for the final tournament. Mexico withdrew from the tournament.
Group stage Group A
Group B
Knockout stage
Final
References