Qatar to host 2026 and 2028 editions of FIP Padel World Cup

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Padel Federation announced that the International Padel Federation (FIP) has awarded Doha the hosting rights for the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP Padel World Cup, reinforcing Qatar's position as a global destination for major international sporting events.

Both editions will be held at the iconic Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex, a venue that has hosted some of the world's most important international Padel events in recent years - including the Qatar Major Premier Padel four times, and the last World Team Championships - and has established itself as one of the sport's leading destinations. rouesnews.click

The decision to award the hosting rights for the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cups to Doha was based on a series of key criteria, including the high quality of sporting infrastructure, the conditions offered to athletes and national delegations, proven experience in staging major international events, high safety standards, financial guarantees, and the strong sporting legacy developed by Qatar in recent years.

A further element reflecting the growth and ambition of the FIP World Cup is the prize money, which will reach unprecedented levels in the history of Padel and will be distributed equally between the men's and women's competitions. The 2026 edition will offer a record prize fund of €1.2 million, rising further to €1.35 million in 2028. This represents the highest prize money ever awarded in an official Padel competition and underlines the commitment of FIP and the Qatar Padel Federation to further enhance the prestige of the event and showcase the highest level of competition among national teams.

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Tareq Zainal, Secretary General of the Qatar Padel Federation, said: "We are honoured by the International Padel Federation's decision to award Doha the hosting rights for both the 2026 and 2028 FIP World Cup. Having previously hosted the championship on two occasions, we are proud that Qatar continues to be entrusted with one of the sport's most watched events."

"This confidence reflects the dedication of the Qatar Padel Federation and all our partners to delivering world-class tournaments that meet the highest international standards. Hosting two consecutive editions presents a unique opportunity to build on our experience, further enhance the event, and create an exceptional experience for players, teams and fans from around the world. We look forward to welcoming the global Padel community back to Doha and contributing to the continued growth and success of our sport."

"The awarding of the 2026 and 2028 editions of the FIP World Cup to Doha is a decision that looks to the future of our sport," said FIP President Luigi Carraro. He continued: "Qatar has consistently demonstrated that it possesses all the necessary qualities to host world-class events, and awarding two consecutive editions of the World Cup to the country will provide continuity for the tournament's growth, ensuring an outstanding experience for players, federations and fans.

"Doha is one of the global homes of Padel. On more than one occasion it has demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional standards of organisation and hospitality, and it holds a special place in the history of international Padel. We are confident it will once again help write new and historic chapters in the story of our sport, with the invaluable contribution of the Qatar Padel Federation, whom I thank for its commitment and passion in supporting the growth of Padel worldwide."

Doha, Qatar: England will aim to end Lionel Messi’s bid for back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles and then charge their way into the final when they face defending champions Argentina in a heavyweight semi-final clash at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium today.

The last-four showdown pits one of international football’s oldest rivalries, with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

Thomas Tuchel’s England are targeting a place in their first World Cup final for the first time since lifting the trophy in 1966, while Argentina are chasing a third appearance in the final in the last four editions. The Messi-led side is also hoping to become the first team after Brazil (1962) to successfully defend the world title.

For Messi, the man who carries the tag of owning most number of goals scored in World Cups (21), today’s semi-final carries extra significance as he prepares to face England for the first time in his career.

“I have played against everyone except England and it is special because they are a major nation, a powerhouse, and it is always nice to play against a side like that, especially in a World Cup semi-final,” Messi said ahead of the encounter.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has already inspired Argentina’s title defence journey, scoring eight goals, but Lionel Scaloni’s men faced few near misses on their way to the semi-finals.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi (second right) with teammates during a training session.

After comfortably topping their group, Argentina edged Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time before rallying late to beat Egypt by the same scoreline. They then overcame Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the quarter-finals, extending their unbeaten run at the World Cup finals to 12 matches since their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022.

“This squad does not get tired of making history. They keep wanting more,” Messi said after the victory over Switzerland.

“It is not easy to have been world champions, to have won all that we have won, and to once again keep competing at this level and be back in the semi-finals.”

The 39-year-old maestro, who is probably playing his last FIFA World Cup, will be the biggest threat to England today, but English skipper Harry Kane believes his team must focus on Argentina as a whole, instead of individuals.

“We know how good a player he is, we know what he’s done in the game, how consistent he’s been for so long,” Kane, who was top scorer at the 2018 World Cup, said.

“But the game is against Argentina, not against Lionel Messi. So yeah, we have a lot of preparation to do. We’re coming up against a great unit, a great team with fantastic players,” Kane said.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford echoed Kane’s views, saying: “We all know how good Messi is but we also know how good Argentina are. We can’t solely rely on stopping Messi.”

“We’ve got to focus on their other strengths and the weaknesses we can take advantage of.”

England, powered by a brilliant double by Jude Bellingham, claimed a comeback win over Norway in an extra-time thriller to book the Argentina meeting, following another 3-2 win over Mexico in the pre-quarters despite playing with 10 men.

England opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, drew with Ghana and defeated Panama 2-0 before surviving another scare against DR Congo to secure a 2-1 win in the Round of 32.

Overall, England hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with six wins to Argentina’s two, while five matches have ended in draws. England also lead the World Cup head to head record with three wins so far, while Argentina’s victories came in the gripping 1986 quarter-final and the shootout in 1998.

England’s most recent meeting saw them clinch a thrilling 3-2 friendly win in 2005, and fast forward 21 years, a whole new generation of The Three Lions are up against one of the pre-tournament favourites this time.

أكد فهد عبدالله الملا، نائب رئيس الاتحاد العربي للمبارزة، أن رحيل المغفور له بإذن الله تعالى صاحب السمو الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني شكّل خسارة كبيرة لدولة قطر وللأمتين العربية والإسلامية، مشيراً إلى أن الوطن فقد برحيله قائداً استثنائياً ورجل دولة ترك إرثاً وطنياً وإنسانياً سيظل حاضراً في ذاكرة الأجيال، بما حققه من إنجازات تاريخية أسهمت في بناء قطر الحديثة وترسيخ مكانتها على المستويين الإقليمي والدولي.
وقال الملا إن الأمير الوالد امتلك رؤية استثنائية سبقت عصرها، واستطاع أن يقود مسيرة تحول شاملة نقلت دولة قطر إلى مرحلة جديدة من التنمية والازدهار، حيث أسس لدولة المؤسسات، وعمل على تعزيز الاقتصاد الوطني، ودعم التعليم والصحة والبنية التحتية، إلى جانب ترسيخ مكانة قطر كدولة فاعلة ومؤثرة في محيطها العربي والإسلامي وعلى الساحة الدولية.
وأضاف أن ما تحقق من إنجازات في مختلف القطاعات لم يكن وليد الصدفة، بل جاء ثمرة تخطيط بعيد المدى وإيمان عميق بقدرة الإنسان القطري على صناعة المستقبل، وهو ما جعل تجربة قطر التنموية محل تقدير وإعجاب العالم.
وأشار نائب رئيس الاتحاد العربي للمبارزة إلى أن الأمير الوالد عُرف بمواقفه الثابتة تجاه القضايا العربية والإسلامية، حيث كان نصيراً للحق، وداعماً للشعوب، وحاضراً في كل المواقف الإنسانية، الأمر الذي أكسبه محبة الشعوب واحترام القادة، مؤكداً أن تلك المكانة لم تأتِ من فراغ، وإنما كانت نتيجة سنوات طويلة من العمل المخلص والعطاء الصادق. وأوضح أن الأمير الوالد لم يكن قائداً لقطر فحسب، بل كان شخصية عربية وإسلامية ذات تأثير كبير، حمل هموم أمته بإخلاص، وسعى دائماً إلى دعم الأمن والاستقرار والحوار والتعاون بين الدول. واختتم فهد عبدالله الملا تصريحه برفع أصدق مشاعر العزاء وصادق المواساة إلى حضرة صاحب السمو الشيخ تميم بن حمد آل ثاني أمير البلاد المفدى، وإلى أصحاب السمو والمعالي والسعادة أفراد الأسرة الكريمة آل ثاني، وإلى الشعب القطري الكريم، سائلاً الله سبحانه وتعالى أن يتغمد الأمير الوالد الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني بواسع رحمته، وأن يسكنه الفردوس الأعلى من الجنة، وأن يجزيه خير الجزاء على ما قدمه لوطنه وأمته، وأن يلهم الجميع جميل الصبر وحسن العزاء، وأن يحفظ دولة قطر، ويديم عليها نعمة الأمن والاستقرار، ويواصل الوطن مسيرة النهضة والازدهار التي أرسى الأمير الوالد دعائمها، والتي يواصلها حضرة صاحب السمو أمير البلاد المفدى بكل اقتدار وحكمة.