Three breakthroughs reshape the FIP World Cup men’s last eight

By Courtsider

Three nations broke new ground as the men’s group stage ended at the FIP World Cup 2026 in Doha on 4 November. The Netherlands, Sweden and Germany each reached the quarter-finals for the first time, turning the final day of group play into a milestone for their national teams.

The Dutch men beat Australia 3-0 to finish second in Group A. With their women also through, the Netherlands had both squads in the quarter-finals for the first time. Their progress supplied a different story alongside the group victories of Argentina, Spain, Portugal and Italy: the title contenders advanced, but so did three teams entering unfamiliar territory.

Sweden secured their breakthrough with a 2-1 victory over Paraguay. Albin Olsson and Douglas Rutgersson won their rubber 7-6 6-3, before Willy Slaryd and Adam Axelsson added a 6-2 7-5 victory. Paraguay took the remaining rubber, but Sweden had the two points needed to win the national tie and finished second in Group B.

Germany’s 2-1 win over Qatar brought another first quarter-final appearance. Agustin Reca and Matthias Wunner won 6-1 6-1, while Qatar’s Nawaf brothers answered with a three-set victory. Christian Boehnke and Nick Merten supplied Germany’s other point, winning 6-3 6-2. Portugal’s 2-1 defeat of Chile completed the Group C picture: Portugal took first place and Germany second.

For Argentina, a 3-0 tie score against France concealed an opening-rubber recovery. Agustin Tapia and Tino Libaak lost the first set to Maxime Joris and Timeo Fonteny before winning 5-7 6-3 6-4. Fede Chingotto and Franco Stupaczuk then beat Boronad and Robert 6-2 6-1; Di Nenno and Alfonso completed the sweep with a 6-2 6-2 win over Guichard and Blanque.

Spain closed their group campaign by beating the United Arab Emirates 3-0. Italy defeated Brazil 2-1 to take Group D, with Brazil advancing in second place. Mexico beat the United States 3-0 in the group’s other tie, finishing third ahead of the Americans.

The men’s quarter-final draw for Thursday 5 November paired Argentina against Germany, Italy against Sweden, Spain against Brazil and Portugal against the Netherlands. Each of the three first-time quarter-finalists was drawn against a group winner.

The women’s final group day also brought a Dutch success: a 2-1 win over Portugal secured Group D. Marcella Koek and Bo Luttikhuis won the deciding rubber 7-5 7-6. Spain beat Brazil 3-0, Argentina defeated France by the same tie score, and Italy swept Sweden 3-0. Brazil still advanced as Group A runners-up despite Great Britain’s 3-0 victory over Germany; the British team finished third. The women’s quarter-final draw paired Spain–Sweden, Netherlands–France, Argentina–Portugal and Italy–Brazil, completing the transition from group play to the contest for the title.

Photo: Germany at the 2026 FIP World Cup. Credit: International Padel Federation (FIP). Source.