World Snooker Championship 2026: Ronnie O’Sullivan Tips Teenage Star for World Title as Crucible ‘Crèche’ Remark Lands

Ronnie O’Sullivan returned to the Crucible to begin his 2026 World Championship campaign in typically assured fashion, easing through a 10-2 first-round win over Chinese qualifier He Guoqiang.

The result sends the seven-time world champion into a blockbuster second-round clash with long-time rival and fellow Class of ’92 member John Higgins. 

Both now 50, the pair have been mainstays in Sheffield since the 1990s, with O’Sullivan first appearing in 1993 and Higgins following in 1995, spanning four different decades of World Championship appearances.

Despite their longevity at the top, both men remain firmly competitive at the sport’s elite level, setting up yet another chapter in one of snooker’s defining rivalries.

Crucible’s New Generation Emerges

While the old guard continues to thrive, the 2026 event has also highlighted snooker’s changing landscape, with a wave of new talent pushing through.

This year saw the first British teenage Crucible debutant since 2007 in Stan Moody, the last being current world number one Judd Trump. Meanwhile, 20-year-old Liam Pullen also earned his place in Sheffield, though neither he nor Moody were able to progress past Kyren Wilson and Chris Wakelin respectively.

‘Walking Into a Creche’

Reflecting on the influx of youth on the tour, O’Sullivan offered a light-hearted assessment of the modern practice environment.

“Couple of oldies. Just going in the practice room and hanging around this venue I feel kind of old now because everyone's 22, 23, it's like walking into a creche. But we're still hanging around, having a go,” he said to the BBC’s Abigail Davies immediately after the match against He.

Praise for Moody and Pullen

Speaking to SportsBoom after his opening-round win, O’Sullivan expanded on the emerging talent he has encountered, offering particular admiration for Moody.

“I always say hello to the boys, you know, Stan [Moody] gave me a little nod the other day. Lovely boy, great player. I think he’s going to be a world champion for sure,” O’Sullivan told SportsBoom.co.uk. 

“He's got a lovely cue action, the way he hits and gets through the ball. He's definitely going to be a champion for sure.”

He also spoke warmly about Pullen, while acknowledging the contrast between generations.

“Liam Pullen, lovely, lovely guy. I like seeing all the youngsters coming through, but it does make you feel a little bit out of place, sometimes, you know, what am I doing, why am I still there.”

Openness to Mentoring the Next Generation

O’Sullivan was also asked whether he would consider taking on a more formal mentoring or coaching role for players such as Moody, given his praise for the teenager.

His response was open, referencing the influence of Ray Reardon on his own career.

“I’d help any player. I help players I like. If I think they've got potential, and I think I could guide him in the right way. A bit like what Ray [Rearden] had done for me.”

“If I felt like I could add that to a player, I would, you know.”

He also pointed to his informal guidance of other rising stars on tour, including his well-documented relationship with the 2025 world champion Zhao Xintong. 

“Xintong is a great talent. I thought, it'd be nice, I didn't spend a lot of time with him, but I think the time I did spend with him, I think I showed him what I thought he needed to work on, whether he's done it or not, whether it's made him a better, I don't know, but you can just show people,” O’Sullivan added. 

Pride in Wu Yize’s Progress

Additionally, he has also been working closely with highly rated Chinese prospect Wu Yize, who launched his World Championship campaign in style with a commanding 10-2 victory over Lei Peifan, matching O’Sullivan’s own scoreline.

“And the same with Wu Yize, I said, I think you need to improve in this area. I'm convinced of that, if you don’t I’m convinced you’re just going to keep getting what you got.”

He passed on his winning mentality to Wu, offering insight into what it truly takes to become a champion without going into specific detail. 

The advice appears to have paid off, with Yize going on to secure the first title of his career this season by lifting the International Championship.

“Do you want to be a champion? And he [Wu] was like, "Yeah, yeah, you might not want to do this, but if you want to be a champion, you're going to have to do this no matter how good you are because he's the phenomenal talent.”

“It's been nice to see him take that on board and whether it's helped him or not, I don't know, but when he wins and does well, it makes me happy,” O’Sullivan concluded.