100 days to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

On 14 June 2026, the WorldSkills community marked a major milestone. In exactly 100 days, more than 1,400 young skilled professionals from over 70 countries and regions will converge on Shanghai, China, to compete across 64 skills from 22 to 27 September 2026.

The 48th WorldSkills Competition will be the culmination of months and years of dedication and training, bringing together the world’s best talent on the global stage for skills. It takes place alongside WorldSkills Conference 2026 where global leaders will meet to shape a skills-driven future.

As part of the 100-day countdown, WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Executive Bureau and WorldSkills International announced the appointment of internationally renowned content creator Li Ziqi as a Promotion Ambassador for the 48th WorldSkills Competition. She joins Chinese actor Xiao Zhan, who was announced as the first Promotion Ambassador on World Youth Skills Day 2025.

Li Ziqi has over 32 million followers on YouTube and has built her global following by capturing the artistry and skill that lies within traditional Chinese culture. Over the years she has worked with more than one hundred craftspeople and her work has been an important bridge between past traditions and future skills. She embodies the message of WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 to “Master Skills, Change Your Future”.

Speaking about her appointment, Li Ziqi said she felt deeply honoured to serve as a Promotion Ambassador and extended a warm invitation to young skilled professionals around the world saying, “Let us meet through skills, shine through craftsmanship, and light up this world-class celebration of excellence together.”

WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 Executive Bureau will be kicking off celebrations with a host of public events in Shanghai, including a Skills Carnival that features live skills demonstrations and hands-on activities. Government representatives, social media influencers, young skilled professionals, and members of the public are invited to join in and experience the power of skills first-hand.

The 100-day milestone also marks the full-scale launch of the Youth Powering WorldSkills themed campaign for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, a campaign that celebrates the energy, ambition, and potential of young skilled people everywhere. WorldSkills Members, Partners, Competitors, Experts, and supporters will use their platforms and channels to celebrate the milestone by sharing a new countdown video with their audience to build even more anticipation for the event.

David Hoey, CEO of WorldSkills International, marked the milestone by saying, “WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 is a great opportunity for the world to come together to celebrate what skilled people can achieve, and to shape the future of skills development for generations to come. The countdown is on, and the whole WorldSkills community is ready. I cannot wait!”

Find out more about the exciting plans for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and WorldSkills Conference.