Ben Shelton joins Laver Cup as Team World confirm first-ever three top-10 players in line-up

Ben Shelton confirms his presence at the Laver Cup 2026 and becomes the fifth confirmed player for the ninth edition of the tournament that has Roger Federer as ambassador. The American is the third confirmed member of Team World, captained by Andre Agassi.

It will be the third time that Shelton makes his appearance at the Laver Cup, and he will do it with old acquaintances. An injury forced him to withdraw at the last moment in 2025, but he already featured in the previous two editions (2023, 2024). For now, he joins two other top-10 players on Team World: Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.

Precisely Fritz was the hero with whom Team World lifted the trophy one year ago, overcoming the favouritism of the Europeans, led by Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev.

This year, both the Spaniard and the German will join forces again in London, searching for revenge for the Europeans, who although every year have been favourites in terms of names and rankings, have only won one of the last four editions.

The Laver Cup returns to London four years after the British capital hosted a special edition. And that is because 2022 was the year in which Roger Federer retired, choosing the tournament for his final appearance, while also being the last time we saw Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray together on Team Europe.

Since that date, there are several names that remain, and both Fritz and de Minaur — who were part of Federer’s farewell as members of Team World — will once again be present in 2026, emerging as the absolute leaders of a Team World that for the first time would have three top-10 players in its line-up.

“It’s always an honor to be part of Team World,” said Shelton. “Getting the chance to spend a week with legends like Andre (Agassi) and Pat (Rafter), learning from them and competing alongside this group, is something I really value and that you don’t get anywhere else. I’ve got some great memories from Laver Cup already and I’m excited to get back out there in London with the guys.”

It will be the second year in which Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter serve as co-captains of Team World and therefore the first time Shelton will join them following the injury in 2025. In his previous appearances, the young American was under the guidance of brothers John McEnroe and Patrick McEnroe.

Shelton, in only two appearances, has played a total of eight matches — considering singles and doubles — and holds an overall 6-2 record, which ties him with Carlos Alcaraz (75%), with both players owning the best record in the tournament by having the highest winning percentage among players with at least five matches played.