England's Curtis Malik has called for urgent clarity as he attempts to plot his path to LA 2028 via next summer's crucial European Games in Turkey.
Squash's LA 2028 Olympic Qualification System, released earlier this month, has placed the five Continental Games at the forefront of the qualifying process for all players aspiring to become the sport's first ever Olympians.
Reaching the European Games in Istanbul (16-27 June 2027) has now become the primary focus for Malik and his potential Great Britain team-mates — who are all now aware that winning the gold medal in Turkey will guarantee a place at the Olympic Games (provided they maintain their place in the world top 50 until 22 May 2028).
The immediate concern for Malik and his fellow Brits is a quick resolution to the uncertainty surrounding the selection process for Turkey.
Uniquely, Great Britain has had to form a new governing body in preparation for the Olympics, with England Squash, Squash Wales and Scottish Squash joining forces for the period of this Olympic cycle (and hopefully the next one, too!).
But the formation of GB Squash, as it's known, was only officially announced on 4 February. The appointment process for its Chair and two committee members has only just started.
Malik says this leaves him "in limbo land" as he doesn't yet know what the European Games qualifying criteria will be for Team GB, how many players will be going, who will be selecting the team, who will coach the team or when the process will begin.
"I feel like I've been left in limbo land," the world no.23 told Squash Player. "We don't yet have a clue when they're deciding spots for the European Games or how we even qualify."
As of February 2026, Malik is the sixth-highest British player in the PSA rankings. He is well aware that he needs to, as he puts it, "get his arse in gear and get up the rankings," but he currently has no timeline to work to.
The current number two and three players in the list of Brits (behind Joel Makin) are brothers Marwan and Mohamed ElShorbagy. With retirement rumours swirling around 35-year-old Mohamed, Marwan (the younger sibling by three years) might fancy a late crack at Olympic glory.
Malik comments: "[Those decisions] have a knock-on effect down the chain as there are some younger players around 40, 50 or 60 in the world who could well be top 30 by the time the European Games comes around, but they probably won't go because Marwan might be given that chance.
"It doesn't look like Marwan is going to make way and he has absolutely earned the right to do that and represent Great Britain if he wants to.
"Clarity about how to qualify for those European Games would be great, but for me I've just to play my best possible squash in order to give myself the best possible chance. I'm just going to focus on getting in the best position I can for this time next year."
Some clarity was at least provided by the long-awaited publication of the Olympic Qualification System on 1 February. If he misses out on European Games gold, Malik at least has the potential to battle for a possible place as GB's second-ranked player on the PSA world rankings by 22 May 2028.
"Finding out the LA qualification process makes the whole thing a lot more real now," said the 26-year-old from Sussex.
"When it was first announced that squash was in the Olympics, it was over four years away. Now suddenly it's two and a half years. It's already gone quick.
"It gives us all that impetus to really have the Games as a focal point. I've just got to keep improving as a player on a daily basis myself and give myself the best possible chance.
"To be classed as an Olympian and make the first ever Olympics where squash has been part of it, would be something historic. It's a realy big goal of mine to get there."
Having digested the IOC and World Squash document in full, Malik believes the LA 2028 qualification criteria are as fair as they can be, given the organisers' somewhat contradictory obligations to achieve diversity in the draws and yet ensure the world's best players are well represented.
"If I'm being honest, when I first read it, I thought it was the most well thought-out and fair way to do it," says Malik.
"Obviously you can't give countries like Egypt and Great Britain four spaces because we would take up half the draw. I think they've done it the fairest way possible. They want to give as many countries as possible the chance to compete, but they also want to keep the quality high, so they've kept it to the top 50.
"If someone wins the Asian Games this October but isn't top 50 by May 2028 they won't go, and I think that's fair. It has to be reflective of current playing standards, so I think it's been done in the best possible way. I can't think of any other way to do it when we've only got 16 spots."
