FIP World Cup Kicks Off in Doha: Spain Open Against Sweden

The biggest week on the national-team calendar starts today in Doha. The FIP World Cup 2026 opens on Monday, 2 November, at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Sixteen men's teams and sixteen women's teams are chasing the world title, and the first headline tie puts Spain against Sweden in the men's Group B.

The International Padel Federation has made this edition the richest in the sport's history: €1.2 million in prize money, shared equally between the men's and women's events. At Sunday's opening ceremony, FIP president Luigi Carraro told the players: "Enjoy yourselves, compete according to the highest principles of fair play and put on a show together." He then added, "The world is watching you", and declared the tournament open.

The groups and the format

Sunday's draw produced the following men's groups: Argentina, France, Australia and the Netherlands in Group A; Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and Paraguay in Group B; Portugal, Chile, Qatar and Germany in Group C; and Italy, Brazil, the United States and Mexico in Group D.

On the women's side, defending champions Spain lead Group A with Brazil, Germany and Great Britain. Argentina face France, Chile and Belgium in Group B. Italy, Sweden, Egypt and Indonesia make up Group C, and Portugal, the Netherlands, the United States and Paraguay are in Group D.

Every tie is played over three matches. Group play runs from 2 to 4 November and the top two in each group reach the quarter-finals on 5 November. The semi-finals follow on 6 November and both finals are on Saturday, 7 November. Women's sessions begin at 14:00 local time (12:00 CET) and men's at 18:00 (16:00 CET). Alongside Spain–Sweden, the first men's evening includes Brazil–Mexico and Italy–United States. The women open with Spain–Germany, France–Belgium and Argentina–Chile.

Spain hunt revenge, Argentina defend the crown

The men's tournament is once again built around the Spain–Argentina rivalry. Argentina beat Spain in the 2022 and 2024 finals; the 2024 title was decided in a third-set tie-break in the deciding match. Spain's last men's title came in 2021. Coach Juanjo Gutiérrez picked Arturo Coello, Juan Lebrón, Francisco Navarro, Jorge Nieto, Miguel Yanguas, Jon Sanz and newcomer Aimar Goñi. Javier Leal joins them after Alejandro Galán withdrew for medical reasons.

Argentina, coached by Gaby Reca and Rodri Ovide, arrive with Agustín Tapia, Federico Chingotto, Franco Stupaczuk, Martín Di Nenno, Leandro Augsburger, Valentino Libaak, Gonzalo Alfonso and Maximiliano Arce. Alfonso and Arce are the main additions compared with 2024. Juan Tello, a finalist in Kuwait last week, was left out.

This edition has an unusual subplot. Coello and Tapia, who have just finished a fourth straight season as world number one together, now play for opposite sides. Their groups keep them apart, so they could only meet in the knockout rounds.

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Spain's women chase a seventh straight title

Spain's women have won six consecutive world titles, the most recent in Doha in 2024 with a 2-0 final win over Argentina. Carolina Navarro is coaching at her first World Cup and named Gemma Triay, Beatriz González, Ariana Sánchez, Marta Ortega, Claudia Fernández, Paula Josemaría, Andrea Ustero and Martina Calvo. Navarro explained that she preferred Ortega over Alejandra Salazar for her speed on the fast courts expected in Doha.

Argentina's challenge is led by Delfina Brea, Triay's partner on the Premier Padel tour. She is joined by Claudia Jensen, Aranzazu Osoro, Martina Fassio, Virginia Riera, Ferreyra, Bidahorria and Vílchez. Spain and Argentina are in different groups, so a repeat of the 2024 final is possible only on the final weekend.

Red Bull TV is streaming the group stage free worldwide, and the official Premier Padel YouTube channel is also showing matches. In Spain, Movistar Plus+ comes in from the quarter-finals. Spain's men start against Sweden at 16:00 CET this afternoon.