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. cat-cross.com

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.

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.

الأخبارلتحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع بجولة غرب آسيا .. عنابي الطائرة الشاطئية يواجه اللبنانييخوض منتخبنا الوطني للكرة الطائرة الشاطئية مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع أمام منتخب لبنان في جولة غرب آسيا الأولى لمنتخبات الكرة الطائرة الشاطئية، المقامة حاليًا في الممل...فتح →

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."

London: Smriti Mandhana's sparkling unbeaten fifty led India to 122-3 against England at lunch on the opening day of the inaugural women's Test at Lord's on Friday.

Mandhana was 56 not out after making a run-a-ball fifty including eight fours and a six, with India sent in to bat.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the India captain, was unbeaten on 14.

After 142 years -- and 150 matches -- of men's Test cricket at the London ground, this four-day fixture represents another landmark in the evolution of a now fast-developing women's game.

This match is also taking place 50 years after the first major women's match at Lord's, a one-day international between England and Australia.

Members of the England team that day gathered on the outfield Friday to ring the five-minute bell signalling the start of play.

In contrast to that 1976 team, England were playing their second match at Lord's in under a week following their defeat by arch-rivals Australia in Sunday's T20 World Cup final -- with India knocked out of the tournament by the eventual champions in a group-stage game at the same ground.

And in a feat women cricketers of the amateur era could scarcely have envisaged, Friday's match meant Mandhana became the youngest women to feature in 300 international games across all formats at the age of 29 years and 357 days.

But before Mandhana got going, opening partner Shafali Verma suffered the disappointment of a duck when well-caught by diving wicketkeeper Amy Jones off Lauren Filer.

Left-hander Mandhana, however, cover-drove Lauren Bell for several fours in classic style and also pulled the fast bowler to the boundary and later slog-swept spinner Sophie Ecclestone for six.

Yastika Bhatia (12) was bowled by a superb Bell delivery that swung in and seamed away.

But Jemimah Rodrigues helped Mandhana put on 64 for the third-wicket before she unluckily dragged on against Issy Wong for 35.

دافع رئيس لجنة الحكام في الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا)، الإيطالي بييرلويجي كولينا، عن «نزاهة» مونديال 2026 المقام في أمريكا الشمالية، وبرر قرارات الحكم الفرنسي فرانسوا لوتيكسييه الذي تعرض لانتقادات من مصر بعد إقصائها على يد الأرجنتين من ثمن النهائي. وقال في مقابلة نُشرت على موقع فيفا «بالطبع، سيظل النقاش البناء حول القرارات جزءا من كرة القدم، لكن الاتهامات غير المبررة لا مكان لها في رياضتنا. لا يمكن لأحد أن يشكك في نزاهة الحكام» في البطولة. وأضاف أنه «لا يمكن لأي أحد أن يدّعي أن تحكيم فيفا يمكن أن يتأثر بأي جهة، ولا حتى من قبل رئيس فيفا» السويسري-الإيطالي جاني إنفانتينو الذي «قدم دائما دعمه الكامل» ل طاقم التحكيم مع احترام «استقلاليته». لكن كولينا لم يتطرق إلى تدخل الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب الذي أقر بأنه اتصل بإنفانتينو لإعادة النظر في البطاقة الحمراء التي حصل عليها المهاجم الأمريكي فولارين بالوغون. وبعد اتصال ترامب برئيس فيفا، رفعت لجنة الانضباط في الاتحاد الدولي الإيقاف عن اللاعب، ليصبح مؤهلا مجددا لمواجهة بلجيكا في ثمن النهائي (1-4)، من دون تقديم تفسير جوهري.
وتوقف الحكم الدولي الإيطالي السابق، في عرضه لتقييم مرحلي للبطولة، عند مباراة ثمن النهائي بين الأرجنتين ومصر (3-2) والتي تعرض على إثرها لوتيكسييه لانتقادات حادة دفعت الاتحاد المصري إلى المطالبة باستبعاده بسبب «أخطاء تحكيمية فادحة».
وذكر بأن «حكم الفيديو المساعد (في أيه آر) يراجع مرحلة الاستحواذ الهجومي بعد كل هدف»، لرصد أي «مخالفة في بناء الهجمة» قد يكون لها تأثير على الهدف. وقدم مثالين من مباراة الأرجنتين ومصر، أكد فيهما صحة قرارات الحكم الفرنسي، وأولهما إلغاء هدف المهاجم المصري مصطفى زيكو (58) لأن زميله مروان عطية «داس بوضوح على قدم» الأرجنتيني ليساندرو مارتينيس. وفي المقابل، قبل الهدف الثالث للأرجنتين في الوقت بدلا من الضائع، طالب المصريون بركلة جزاء إثر احتكاك داخل المنطقة بين الأرجنتيني خوليان ألفاريس والنجم المصري محمد صلاح الذي سقط أرضا، لكن «الحكم و»في أيه آر» اعتبرا أن الأمر مجرد احتكاك طبيعي في كرة القدم»، بحسب كولينا.

DOHA: When FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico and the United States, many expected the topic of discussion to center around logistics, sold-out stadiums, and successful engagement.

Few expected all three hosts to build their own story and legacy into the tournament.

From Mexico's disciplined displays and Canada making history to the United States' performance on the world stage, the tournament has become more than just a

venue in North America’s land. The region has really leaned in, as hosts embrace the world's game.

For Canadian supporter Baher, the change has been impossible to ignore.

"There's a big football craze and I think the fact we're hosting contributes to that," he said.

"Canada is definitely not known for football. It's more hockey or curling, but this has changed in the last ten years. We've seen a big shift with soccer academies, summer camps that actively recruit and train local talents."

The excitement has extended well beyond football fans.

"Every day at work it's been an ongoing topic of discussion for all genders and age groups, even people who don't usually watch football," he said.

"It is the World Cup, and even if it isn't Canada playing, everyone has their favourite picks."

That growing interest has been matched by Canada's performances on the pitch. They made history by securing their first World Cup point and first tournament victory before eventually reaching the knockout stage for the first time from a favourable yet competitive group featuring Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar.

For Baher, everything after the group stage already felt like a win.

"Canada just making it past the group stages was amazing. Anything after that felt like a bonus, but I've personally been extremely satisfied with their overall performance."

He credits the team's success to an outstanding collective effort rather than individual performances.

He did, however, single out Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David as players who stood out.

"They defend as a team, the chemistry is amazing and they're one of the youngest and fittest teams. They're relentless with their pressing and quick transitions."

Their historic run eventually came to an end against Morocco, but not before making history for the nation and leaving supporters believing Canadian football has entered a new era.

"It was shocking, as it felt like watching two completely different games,” said Baher.

As for the other co-hosts, Mexico entered the tournament carrying what felt like a heavy burden.

Being the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups, expectations were enormous. Having failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 since reaching the quarter-finals on home soil in 1986, and after a disappointing group-stage exit in 2022, many fans viewed this tournament as an opportunity to restore belief.

Selvin, a Mexican living in the United States, believes his team did exactly that despite falling short of their ultimate goal.

"I'd say Mexico had a strong and promising campaign," he said.

"Even though they didn't go as far as we’d hoped, the team looked confident and competitive, continuing to live up to how we (their fans) see them."

"They showed discipline, consistency and gave their fans a show they won't ever forget," Selvin added.

Mexico impressed not only their fans, but the world, as they performed with organised defence and a balanced midfield in the group stages, before ultimately being eliminated by England in the Round of 16.

According to Selvin, small mistakes proved to be costly.

"When you're playing against a top team, every mistake matters. The tactics didn't work the way they planned and they left too many gaps."

One player, however, gave supporters great hope throughout the tournament.

"Julian Quinones stood out the most," he said. "He created chances, kept putting pressure on defenders and always looked like he knew what to do with the ball."

Like many supporters, Selvin believes playing at home was both a blessing and a burden.

"It made them stronger because they were playing with their own people behind them," he said. "But at the same time there's pressure because you don't want to let your country down."

Despite the disappointment, his optimism remains unchanged.

"My opinion hasn't changed because they didn't go further. They're still an amazing team and next time they'll come back stronger."

Just across the border, the United States have also made a name for themselves, shocking the international community.

Jalen Savariau, an American supporter, believes the team's performance has really made a name for them, beyond hosting.

"Their star players have uplifted the team while the defence has remained solid," he said. "I was especially surprised by Folarin Balogun and how much of a threat he's been."

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States recorded its first World Cup knockout victory since 2002 before bowing out in the Round of 16.

For Jalen, that represents meaningful progress rather than disappointment.

"I think this was a reasonable World Cup display from the USA and is a good building block as they aim for sustained success in international football."

While many have spoken about home advantage, he believes hosting brought its own pressures.

"The US is still trying to build its football culture," he explained. "I don't think we have the same loyal fan base as traditional football nations, so hosting actually creates more pressure because Americans expect their teams to succeed."

Beyond the pitch and game itself, supporters across the three host nations agree the tournament has transformed everyday life.

Although Baher praised Canada's hospitality and the atmosphere created in Vancouver, he pointed to soaring ticket prices and the challenge of travelling across three vast countries as drawbacks compared to previous World Cups.

Jalen also noted that while staging the tournament across North America inevitably complicated logistics, the event has nevertheless introduced millions more people to the sport.

Perhaps that is this year’s tournament's greatest legacy.

Mexico reminded the world of its football heritage. Canada announced itself as a growing, fierce and ambitious force. The United States continued building toward international success.

All carrying different journeys, but together they exceeded expectations. The three host nations were entrusted with bringing the World Cup to North America. Instead, they may have shown that North American football has finally arrived.