World Cup Qualifiers for Padel Begin in Kuwait with 27 Teams from Asia and Africa - Sarmad
World Cup qualifiers for padel have begun in Kuwait, with 27 teams participating to determine who advances to Doha.
Translated by Qiyas from سرمد — Original source
Competitions for the Asian and African qualifiers for the 2026 World Padel Cup kicked off today, Monday, in Kuwait, with 27 national teams participating—14 men’s teams and 13 women’s teams—to determine which squads will advance to the finals scheduled in the Qatari capital, Doha, from November 2 to 7.
The qualifiers will run until October 30 and are organized by the Kuwait Padel Club in collaboration with the International Padel Federation (FIP) and BNK. Matches will be held at the courts of the Ouro Padel and Padle N clubs, as part of the qualification pathway to the global championship, which brings together the elite national teams in the sport.
Abdulrahman Burhamah, manager of the Kuwait national padel team, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the men’s competition features 14 teams divided into four groups. Group A includes Australia, Lebanon, and the Philippines; Group B comprises Egypt, Senegal, and Indonesia; Group C consists of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Pakistan; and Group D features Japan, Bahrain, Morocco, and Tunisia. These teams will compete for a single qualification spot.
Burhamah explained that the women’s competition involves 13 teams split into four groups. Group A includes Japan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia; Group B comprises Egypt, Lebanon, and Bahrain; Group C features the Philippines, Senegal, and Tunisia; and Group D consists of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. These teams will compete for two qualification spots.
He noted that the tournament follows a group stage format, where teams face their group opponents before advancing to knockout rounds that will determine the qualifiers for the World Cup. The teams competing in the Kuwait qualifiers are vying for the last available men’s spot and two women’s spots.
Burhamah stated that the Kuwait men’s team entered the qualifiers ranked third, while the women’s team was ranked fourth. Both teams completed an internal training camp ahead of the tournament in preparation for the qualifiers, aiming to qualify and represent Kuwait at this global event.
He emphasized that Kuwait’s hosting of these continental qualifiers reflects the rising status of padel in the country and the capability of local personnel to organize international tournaments.
Burhamah called on sports fans to attend and support the Kuwait national team, which is playing on home soil before its home crowd, in its journey toward qualifying for the global championship. He thanked all sponsors and patrons of the Kuwait national team for their continued support across various events and tournaments.
The World Padel Cup finals are scheduled to take place in Doha from November 2 to 7, featuring 32 teams—16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams. The final list of participants will be confirmed following the conclusion of the Asian and African qualifiers in Kuwait.
