World Cup qualifiers for Padel begin in Kuwait with 27 Asian and African national teams
World Cup qualifiers for Padel have begun in Kuwait with the participation of 27 national teams to determine qualifiers for Doha.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- Competitions continue until October 30 to determine the three qualification spots for the finals in Doha next November
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 teams will advance to the finals scheduled in the Qatari capital, Doha, from November 2 to 7 next year.
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 Oro Padel and Padel One clubs, as part of the qualification pathway to the global championship that 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 includes Japan, Bahrain, Morocco, and Tunisia. Each group will compete for one qualification spot.
Burhamah explained that the women’s competition involves 13 teams split into four groups. Group A features Japan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia; Group B includes Egypt, Lebanon, and Bahrain; Group C comprises the Philippines, Senegal, and Tunisia; and Group D consists of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. Two qualification spots are at stake in the women’s category.
He noted that the competition follows a group stage format, where teams face each other within their groups 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.
He added 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 qualifiers, aiming to qualify and represent Kuwait at this global event.
Burhamah pointed out that Kuwait’s hosting of these continental qualifiers reflects the growing stature of padel in the country and the capability of local personnel to organize international tournaments.
He called on sports fans to attend and support the Kuwait national team, which is playing on home soil in front of its own supporters in its journey toward the world championship, and thanked all sponsors and backers 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 next year, featuring 32 teams—16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams. The final list of participants will be completed following the conclusion of the Asian and African qualifiers in Kuwait.
