France delivers a surprise and qualifies for the semifinals of the 2026 FIP World Cup

The men's category repeats the 2024 semifinals, with Spain, Argentina, Portugal, and Italy. In the women's category, France breaks into the top four alongside Spain, Argentina, and Italy.
France celebrating their advancement to the semifinals in the women's category | FIP Photograph
French delegation celebrating their qualification to the semifinals in the women's category | FIP Photograph

The circle narrows in Doha. The quarterfinal day of the FIP World Cup 2026, held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, has determined the four contenders for the title in each category. Spain and Argentina confirmed their status as favorites in both the women’s and men’s draws, while France emerged as the tournament’s major surprise in the women’s category after defeating the Netherlands to take the spot that belonged to Portugal in 2024. In the men’s category, the Portuguese and the Italian delegations join the list to recreate a scene identical to the semifinals of the last World Cup edition.

España celebrando la victoria ante Suecia en cuartos de final | Fotografía FIP
Marta Ortega y Martina Calvo celebrando la victoria de España ante Suecia en cuartos de final | Fotografía FIP

The Spanish team, current world champions, once again demonstrated their potential with a flawless 3-0 victory against Sweden. Paula Josemaría and Bea González opened the tie with an uncontested win over Ajla Behram and Juni Sjöland (6-0 and 6-1).

Marta Ortega and Martina Calvo extended their lead against Zoe Andersson and Amanda Girdo (6-0 and 6-2), before Andrea Ustero and Ari Sánchez secured a complete Spanish victory by defeating Silje Kjaergaard and Linnéa Björk 6-1 and 6-2. Three matches, three wins, and not a single set conceded.

Their next obstacle will be France, which also resolved its quarterfinal commitment in the first two matches against the Netherlands (2-0). Alix Collombon and Louise Bahurel defeated Janine Hemmes and Tess De Vocht 6-0, 6-3, while Carla Touly and Lucile Pothier secured the French team’s spot against Marcella Koek and Bo Luttikhuis 6-2, 7-6. With this victory, they manage to place themselves among the four best national teams in the world, a position that, in 2024, was held by Portugal.

In the lower half of the chartwill be Argentina. The Albiceleste team, runner-up in the 2024 World Cup, settled the match with equal decisiveness anddefeated Portugal3-0.

Delfi Brea and Claudia Jensen opened the scoreboard with a commanding 6-0, 6-0 victory over Simone Simas and Kika Santos. Aranzazu Osoro and Martina Fassio contributed the second point by defeating Alexandra Silva and Clarinha Santos 6-1, 6-3. In turn, Virginia Riera and Julieta Bidahorria concluded the tie against Andrea Achando and Sofia Araújo with a 6-2, 6-0 win.

On the other side of the net will be Italy, which will once again compete for the medals and aims to extend its tradition on the podium. The Azzurri team, bronze medalists in the 2021, 2022, and 2024 editions, secured their qualification after defeating Brazil 2-0.

Giulia Dal Pozzo and Emily Stellato set the match on course with their victory over Raquel Piltcher and Alessandra de Barros (6-0 and 6-2). Clarissa Aima and Giulia Sussarello had to work a bit harder to secure their progression against Cristina Cirne and Julia Gomes, whom they defeated 6-1 and 7-6.

The path to the title is thus marked by two semifinals: Spain against France and Argentina against Italy. Both matches will be held on November 6th, at 14:00 local time (12:00 Spanish mainland time).

For their part, the positions from fifth to eighth will also have their own semifinal matchups: Sweden will face the Netherlands, and Portugal will do likewise against Brazil. Both matches are scheduled for the same time.

Franco Stupaczuk y Maxi Arce celebrando la victoria ante Alemania en los cuartos de final de la Copa del Mundo de la FIP 2026 | Fotografía de la FIP
Franco Stupaczuk y Maxi Arce celebrando la victoria ante Alemania en los cuartos de final de la Copa del Mundo de la FIP 2026 | Fotografía de la FIP

In the men’s category, Argentina continues to defend its title with determination. La Albiceleste gave Germany no chances and secured their qualification with a decisive 3-0. The result does not diminish the merit of the German team’s championship, which had already achieved a historic milestone by reaching the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.

The face-off began with Fede Chingotto and Gonza Alfonso securing the first point of the round after defeating Agustin Reca and Matthias Wunner by a double 6-1. Leo Augsburger and Martín Di Nenno extended the Argentine lead with their victory over Johannes Lindmeyer and Benjamin Fitzon (6-0 and 6-4), while Franco Stupaczuk and Maxi Arce completed the all-Argentine success against Christian Boehnke and Nick Merten (6-3 and 6-0).

Likewise, Spain, the current runner-up, continues to advance by leaps and bounds toward the final. The Spanish team secured their tie against Brazil with two consecutive victories. Coki Nieto and Jon Sanz were responsible for opening the scoreboard, defeating Lucas Fernandes and Matheus De Ávila Simonato by 6-2, 6-2. Afterwards, Javi Leal and Arturo Coello completed the job with a solid 6-2, 6-1 win over André Freitas and Diogo Rodrigues, securing their place in the semifinals without the need for a third match.

At the bottom of the draw, Portugalsecured its place in the next round after defeatingthe Netherlands 2-0,one of the revelations of the championship. The brothers Miguel and Nuno Deus prevailed over Sten Richters and Thijs Roper 6-2 and 6-1, while Peu Araújo and Pedro Graça confirmed the Portuguese passage against Bart Van Opstal and Julian Prins (6-3 and 6-4).

Italy completed the group of semifinalists after defeating Sweden2-0. Flavio Abbate and Álvaro Montiel staged the first Italian comeback. After losing the first set in a tie-break against Albin Olsson and Douglas Rutgersson, they rallied to win the next two sets 6-3 and 6-2.

The second point also came after a comeback. Aris Patiniotis and Giulio Graziotti started behind against Willy Släryd and Adam Axelsson, who took the first set 2-6. However, the Italian pair found the response with a 6-2 and completed the qualification with a decisive 6-4.

In this way, the men’s semifinals are set with the matchups Spain – Portugal and Argentina – Italy. Both matches will be played on November 6, no earlier than 6:00 PM local time (4:00 PM Spanish mainland time).

Meanwhile, the matches for fifth to eighth place will be contested by: Brazil – the Netherlands and Germany – Sweden. Both matches are scheduled for the same time.

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