Major League Pickleball (MLP) is set to elevate the sport’s international profile with the inaugural MLP Nations Cup, a high-stakes team competition featuring eight regional squads. Serving as the official kickoff to the 2026 Pickleball World Championships, this event will bring a global flair to the court from October 30 to November 1 at the Brookhaven Country Club in Farmers Branch, Texas.
The Nations Cup Rosters
The competition is divided into two groups, with rosters featuring top talent from around the world. Here are the teams and their designated captains:
- Team Asia Domestic: Led by captains Geoffrey Nguyen and Jeff Tsao, the roster includes Augie Ge (China), Milan Rane (India), Jonathan Truong (Vietnam), Zoey Wang (Chinese Taipei), Jamie Wei (Chinese Taipei), and Len Yang (China).
- Team Europe - West: Captained by Chris Cantino, the team features Judit Castillo (Spain), Helena Jansen (Spain), Will MacKinnon (Scotland), Theo Platel (France), Estee Widdershoven (Belgium), and DJ Young (Spain).
- Team Canada: Under the leadership of captain Steve Deakin, the squad consists of Victoria DiMuzio, Blaine Hovenier, Armaan Jiwa Mawji, Layne Sleeth, Ryan Torresin, and Angie Walker.
- Team USA: Captained by Johnny Goldberg, this powerhouse roster includes Tyra Black, Anna Bright, Kate Fahey, Ben Johns, CJ Klinger, and Will Howells.
- Team Asia International: Led by captain Madeleine Lim, the team features Rika Fujiwara (Japan), Lingwei Kong (China), Jimmy Liong (Malaysia), Hien Truong (Vietnam), Jack Wong (Hong Kong, China), and Macy Ybanez (Philippines).
- Team Australia: Captained by Sange Carter, the roster includes Sarah Burr, Chris Crouch, Sahra Dennehy, Mitch Hargreaves, Danni-Elle Townsend, and George Wall.
- Team Europe - East: Led by captain Caleb Garrard, the team consists of Mikolaj Biedermann (Poland), Andrei Daescu (Romania), Arwid Dahlin (Sweden), Lina Padegimaite (Lithuania), Tina Pisnik (Slovenia), and Daria Walczak (Poland).
- Team Latin America: Captained by Juan Manuel Benitez, the roster features Nico Acevedo (Chile), Mari Humberg (Brazil), Rafa Lenhard (Brazil), Eric Oncins (Brazil), Alexa Schull (Puerto Rico), and Charlie Trevino (Mexico).
While the Latin American squad is noted for its strength, the professional community has its eyes on Team USA, which is widely considered the most formidable roster in the tournament. Fans interested in witnessing this international showdown can purchase tickets now for the three-day event in Texas.
