Qatar to Host Padel World Cup in 2026 and 2028

The International Padel Federation (FIP) and the Qatar Padel Federation have jointly announced that Doha, Qatar will host the prestigious FIP World Cup in both 2026 and 2028, cementing the Gulf nation's position as a premier destination for international padel competitions.

The tournament, recognized as the most prestigious international competition for national teams in the sport, will be staged at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. The venue has already established itself as one of the sport's leading destinations, having hosted the Qatar Major Premier Padel event four times and the most recent World Team Championships.

Tournament Details

Both the 2026 and 2028 editions will feature 16 men's national teams and 16 women's national teams competing for the world title. According to the official FIP calendar, the 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from November 2 to 7, 2026.

The selection of Doha for two consecutive World Cup editions was based on several key criteria, including:

• High quality of sporting infrastructure
• Favorable conditions offered to athletes and national delegations
• Proven experience in staging major international events
• Strong safety standards
• Comprehensive financial guarantees
• Qatar's growing sporting legacy developed in recent years

Record Prize Money

Reflecting the continued growth and ambition of the FIP World Cup, prize money for both editions will reach unprecedented levels in padel history. The 2026 competition will offer a record prize fund of €1.2 million, which will rise further to €1.35 million for the 2028 edition.

Importantly, the prize pool will be distributed equally between the men's and women's competitions, marking a significant milestone for gender equity in the sport.

Qatar's Sporting Ambitions

This announcement builds upon Qatar's track record of successfully hosting major international sporting events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The investment in padel infrastructure and the commitment to hosting the FIP's flagship biennial event twice demonstrates the nation's ongoing dedication to diversifying its sports portfolio beyond football.

The Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, originally built for the 2006 Asian Games and later renovated for the 2022 FIFA World Cup period, continues to prove its versatility as a multi-sport venue capable of accommodating elite-level competitions across different disciplines.

What This Means for Padel

The FIP World Cup serves as the sport's premier team competition, bringing together the best national programs from around the globe. Awarding Doha two successive hostings provides certainty for federations planning their competitive calendars and gives the emerging sport a stable platform for showcasing its growth at the highest level.

Padel has experienced explosive global expansion in recent years, particularly in Europe and Latin America. With this momentum, the 2026 and 2028 editions in Qatar represent a strategic opportunity to grow the sport's profile in the Middle East and Asia.