The 2026 FIP World Cup is set to bring the global elite of padel to Doha, Qatar, for a historic week of competition featuring 32 national teams. Held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex from November 2 to 7, the event boasts a record-breaking prize pool of €1.2 million, split equally between the men’s and women’s divisions.
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The event kicks off on November 1 with an opening ceremony and the official group stage draws. The competition itself follows a rigorous format designed to determine the world champions through group play and a knockout bracket. Here is the breakdown of the tournament progression:
- Group Stage (November 2–4): Both the men’s and women’s fields consist of 16 teams divided into four groups of four. Teams will compete in a round-robin format, playing ties that consist of a best-of-three match structure. Women’s matches are scheduled for 14:00 local time (12:00 CET), while men’s matches follow at 18:00 (16:00 CET).
- Knockout Stage Qualification: The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals. Teams that do not qualify for the knockout stage will continue to play throughout the week to determine final rankings from ninth to 16th place.
- Quarter-Finals (November 5): The tournament shifts to a high-stakes knockout format, where the remaining contenders battle for a spot in the final four.
- Semi-Finals (November 6): The final four teams in both the men’s and women’s categories compete for a place in the championship match.
- Finals and Placement Matches (November 7): The tournament concludes with third-place play-offs held in the morning, followed by the grand finals on the Central Court to crown the new world champions.
This edition of the FIP World Cup arrives two years after Argentina secured the men’s title and Spain claimed the women’s crown. With the largest prize purse in the sport's history, the event serves as a pivotal moment for national teams looking to cement their legacy in the sport of padel.
