The road to the 2026 FIP World Cup is heating up, with Madrid set to host the European qualifying tournament from September 22 to 26. This pivotal event at the Pádel G24 club will determine the final European participants for the world championship in Doha, Qatar.
The Road to Doha: Madrid Qualifiers Overview
A total of 55 national teams representing 29 different countries will descend upon Madrid to compete for four coveted spots in the final tournament. The stakes are clear: two qualifying positions are available for the men’s draw, and two are available for the women’s draw. The upcoming tournament structure and the current qualification landscape are defined by the following key details:
- Tournament Logistics: The competition will take place at the Pádel G24 club, serving as the European stage for the International Padel Federation (FIP) qualification process.
- Participation Scope: While 26 countries are fielding both men’s and women’s squads, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Monaco are participating with men’s teams only. Notably, Belgium and the Netherlands have already secured their spots in the women’s final tournament.
- Men’s Field: The list of competing nations includes Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Lithuania, Moldova, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
- Women’s Field: The competing nations are Austria, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Kosovo, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
- Global Qualification Context: The final Doha event will feature 32 teams in total (16 men’s and 16 women’s). Currently, 12 men’s teams and 11 women’s teams have already secured their passage to Qatar through previous world championships, host status, or regional qualifiers in North and Central America.
- Remaining Qualification Path: Following the Madrid event, the qualification process will conclude with the Africa–Asia qualifiers, which will award one final spot for both the men’s and women’s draws. Additionally, a South American qualifier is scheduled in Asunción, Paraguay, from August 20 to 22.
The FIP World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 in Doha, where the world’s top national teams will compete to be crowned team champions. With the Madrid qualifiers acting as a major hurdle, the final lineup for this prestigious event is nearing completion.
