World Cup of Pool 2015: Dates, Schedule, Live Stream, Prize Money and More

The 10th edition of the World Cup of Pool kicks off on Tuesday, with six days of high-quality nine-ball action at York Hall in London.

England A are the defending champions, and their opening match of the tournament comes against Australia. 

Taiwan, the Philippines and 2014 runners-up the Netherlands are also well fancied for the doubles tournament, which sees 32 teams competing in a straight knockout format over five rounds.

Read on for full scheduling, live streaming and prize money details to whet the appetite for all the action at Bethnal Green.

Schedule

Date (Session)	Match (Seed)
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (afternoon)	Korea (16) v Malaysia, China (8) v Romania, Canada (12) v France
Tuesday, Sept. 22 (evening)	Germany (9) v Indonesia, England A (1) v Australia, Austria (5) v Peru
Wednesday, Sept. 23 (afternoon)	Poland (13) v New Zealand, Taiwan (4) v Estonia, Japan (14) v Italy
Wednesday, Sept. 23 (evening)	USA (6) v Qatar, Holland (3) v India, Philippines (2) v Russia
Thursday, Sept. 24 (afternoon)	Spain (11) v Czech Republic, Finland (10) v Belgium, Greece (7) v Singapore
Thursday, Sept. 24 (evening)	England B (15) v Sweden, Holland (3) / India v Japan (14) / Italy, England A (1) / Australia v Korea (16) / Malaysia
Friday, Sept. 25 (afternoon)	Austria (5) / Peru v Canada (12) / France, China (8) / Romania v Germany (9) / Indonesia, Poland (13) / New Zealand v Taiwan (4) v Estonia
Friday, Sept. 25 (evening)	Spain (11) / Czech Republic v USA (6) / Qatar, Greece (7) / Singapore v Finland (10) / Belgium, England B (15) / Sweden v Philippines (2) / Russia
Saturday, Sept. 26 (afternoon)	Quarter-Final 1, Quarter-Final 2
Saturday, Sept. 26 (evening)	Quarter-Final 3, Quarter-Final 4
Sunday, Sept. 27 (afternoon)	Semi-Final 1, Semi-Final 2
Sunday, Sept. 27 (evening)	Final

Live streaming available via Sky Go in the UK. 

England Eyeing Back-to-Back Triumphs

Karl Boyes and Darren Appleton edged out the Dutch duo last year in a tight 10-9 final to claim England's first-ever World Cup of Pool.

The pair reunite this year as top seeds for England A and will once again be chasing glory in the $250,000 tournament—the winning pair receive $60,000, per Matchroom Pool.

They face a tough task in their defence, though, with serial winners the Philippines arguably the tournament favourites and rivals Australia likely desperate to knock them out in the opening round.

The Southeast Asian nation have claimed the top prize in three of the last nine tournaments and finished second once.

York Hall was the setting for their last triumph in 2013, and they will hope to repeat the trick at the same venue this year.

The Filipino pair will need to be on form from the start, as they face the talented Russians in the first round, but barring an upset, they should go a long way in north-east London.

The Netherlands have finished second in the last two competitions and will be eager to finally go one better this year. Again, they face a difficult challenge against India in the race-to-seven opening round.

Taiwan are being heavily tipped for glory in 2015 despite having never reached a final in the past—although they have made it to the semi-finals four times.

They should have a relatively easy time of it in the opening round against rank outsiders Estonia, but they mustn't get complacent as a single slip-up can spell disaster at the World Cup of Pool.

Seeds who could be ripe for a first-round upset include England B, who face a decent Swedish outfit, and the Japanese, who meet Italy.

The World Cup of Pool is never short of a shock or two, and that is likely to continue in the coming six days. There is little margin for error, and if England A want to triumph again on home soil, they will have to put in near-perfect displays in each round.