Ronnie O'Sullivan issues world title claim about 'English snooker's Luke Littler'

Moody was one of four Crucible debutants at the 2026 World Snooker Championship having navigated the qualifying rounds held earlier in the month at the English Institute of Sport.

In only his third season on the professional circuit, 19-year-old Moody - who discharged himself from hospital the night before having been receiving treatment for tonsilitis - ousted fellow youngster Jiang Jun, 10-9, in the final preliminary round to book his spot in the main draw.

The Yorkshire talent was pitched against world number two and world champion from two years ago Kyren Wilson in the opening round on snooker’s grandest stage.

The first British teenager since Judd Trump in 2007 to play at the Crucible, Moody performed superbly on his bow during the first session against Wilson, compiling two century breaks in establishing a 6-3 first session lead.

On resumption a few hours later, Moody extended his advantage, and was effectively one pot away from 8-3 before Wilson snatched it on a re-spotted black.

The wheels then fell off for Moody - including losing a frame when his opponent needed three snookers - as Wilson won seven frames in-a-row for a 10-7 comeback win.

Despite the second session collapse, though, Moody gained a legion of new fans and showed his green baize potential.

Having retained his tour card at the end of last season by getting into the world’s top 64 - no mean feat at all, especially for someone so young - ‘The Action’ broke new personal ground this term, reaching his first ranking event quarter-final at the Wuhan Open last August, and only a few weeks later making the last eight of the British Open.

Following his maiden Crucible qualification, Moody is now guaranteed to finish this season inside the world’s top 40.

As he has progressed through the pro ranks, some quarters have labelled Moody as snooker’s equivalent to back-to-back world darts champion wonderkid Luke Littler, although the cueman has yet to win a professional title, whilst Littler has a plethora of them already.

O’Sullivan tipping Moody for the top

Snooker’s greatest-ever player, Ronnie O’Sullivan was a child prodigy, and won his first ranking title at the 1993 UK Championship shortly before his 18th birthday - a record that he still holds today.

Now aged 50, O’Sullivan is still at the top of the sport, breaking records and competing for titles. He began his latest quest for an unprecedented eighth world championship title in the modern era with a 10-2 round one victory over one of this year’s other Crucible debutants, 25-year-old He Guoqiang from China.

Speaking to SportsBoom.co.uk after navigating his first hurdle in South Yorkshire, the record 41-time ranking event winner issued high-praise for new kid on the block Moody, even going as far as predicting that he will one day claim snooker’s ultimate prize.

“I always say hello to the boys, you know, Stan 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 said.

“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.”

Pullen also flying the flag for youthful pro snooker in England

Another English youngster that fans are talking about is Liam Pullen, who also made his Crucible debut earlier this week.

Also from Yorkshire, 20-year-old Pullen had to negotiate all four qualifying rounds at the EIS. Against reigning Scottish Open champion and number 13 seed Chris Wakelin in the opening round of the main draw, Pullen was right in contention at 5-5 before his opponent took five of the next six for a 10-6 win.

Like Moody, though, Pullen showed his class in front of the television cameras, fashioning a break of 121.

Moody and Pullen have grown up together on the junior circuit and contested big finals. They both first turned professional in 2023, and made their Crucible debuts only a day apart.

Having been relegated from the pro tour at the end of last season, but immediately bouncing back through the Q School, Pullen also appeared in his first ranking event quarter-final this term at the Xi’an Grand Prix last October.

Pullen is another player O’Sullivan admires and likes seeing do well. Again, speaking to SportsBoom.co.uk, ‘The Rocket’ said: “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.”

Next up for O’Sullivan at the 2026 World Snooker Championship is a blockbuster last 16 showdown with fellow ‘Class of 92’ graduate John Higgins. These two first met at the Crucible three decades ago in 1996, when they were both 20-years-old.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.