Germany Book Doha Double as Netherlands and GB Women Qualify

Germany's Historic Double in Madrid

Germany wrote their most significant chapter in padel history at the FIP World Cup European Qualifier in Madrid, qualifying both the men's and women's national teams for the FIP World Cup 2026 in Doha. The event, held at the Padel G24 club from September 22 to 26, brought together 55 national teams across 29 countries competing for four European berths — two for each gender — at the World Championship in Qatar from November 2 to 7.

No other nation at the Madrid event managed to qualify both sides of their programme. Germany's achievement confirms their status as the most established padel nation outside the traditional Ibero-American and Italian powerhouses, and it sets up a compelling debut at a World Cup that will feature 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams.

Men's Draw: Germany Edge GB; Netherlands Beat Belgium

The men's competition produced two gripping final ties. Germany defeated Great Britain 2-1 in a contest that went the distance, with Christian Böhnke and Nick Merten delivering the decisive point over Alfonso Patacho and Christian Medina Murphy, 4-6, 7-6, 6-4, in a match that reportedly lasted more than six hours across the full tie. Great Britain had topped their group and beaten Ukraine 2-0 in the quarterfinals to reach the semis, where the margin between the two nations proved minimal.

The Netherlands secured the second men's berth by defeating Belgium in a tie that also reached a third-set tiebreak. Richters and Roper beat De Roose and Geens 5-7, 6-4, 7-6, sending the Dutch to Doha for the first time in this competition's recent history. The result confirms the Netherlands — host of the CUPRA Rotterdam Premier Padel P2 this very week — as a padel nation of genuine competitive depth.

Women's Draw: GB Dominate; Germany Comeback Against Denmark

Great Britain's women produced the tournament's most consistent performance. Led by Aimee Gibson and Catherine Rose, they went unbeaten throughout the entire event, winning their group matches against Norway and Serbia without complications before defeating Poland 2-0 in the semifinals. Gibson and Rose won 6-0, 6-2; debutante Chloe de la Mare and Victoria Nicholas secured the tie with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win. It marks Great Britain women's first World Cup qualification since 2021 and is widely regarded as their most convincing European qualifier campaign to date.

Germany's women came through a more challenging route. They lost their opening match against Denmark before rallying to win the tie 2-1, demonstrating the same fighting quality that characterised the men's campaign. The double qualification across both programmes in the same event makes it a landmark weekend for German padel.

Doha in November; Kuwait Still to Come

The FIP World Cup 2026 takes place in Doha, Qatar, from November 2 to 7, with the draws comprising four seeded groups of four teams, and group winners progressing directly to the semifinals. Spain have already announced their 16-player squad and, as defending women's champions, are seeded accordingly. Argentina hold the men's title heading into the tournament.

One qualifying window remains open. The FIP World Cup Qualifiers Asia-Africa, scheduled for Kuwait from October 26 to 30, will award the final two available places per gender. Once that event concludes, the full 16-team fields for Doha will be confirmed.