Opening ceremony and group draw. The final phase begins today in Buenos Aires

Six days of competition and action will feature 32 men’s and 26 women’s teams. The FIP Senior World Cup 2026, taking place until 19 September in Buenos Aires, officially got underway with the event’s opening ceremony on 13 September, where many of the sport’s legends from around the world paraded with the flags and colours of their respective countries. On the same day, the eight men’s groups and eight women’s groups were drawn, while the men’s qualifying phase came to an end, with Canada, Croatia and Lithuania securing the final three available spots. From 9 am (2 pm CEST) of 14 September, the final phase of the competition will get underway to crown the new world champions: Spain (women) and Argentina (men) will defend their titles.

 

The FIP Senior World Cup has reached its fourth edition and, for the first time in its history, Argentina will host the competition. In Buenos Aires, each tie will be played as a best-of-five contest, with the 40+, 45+, 50+, 55+ and 60+ categories taking part. From today, matches played on Court 1 and Court 1 will be available to watch live on the FIP YouTube channel.

 

MEN Reigning champions Argentina will open Group A, having been drawn alongside Brazil, Uruguay and Ukraine. The ‘Selección Albiceleste’ will field a strong line-up, including legend Miguel Lamperti and Agustin Gomez Silingo, the current coach of Juan Lebron-Leo Augburger. After winning the silver medal at the 2024 edition, Spain will be looking to reclaim the title and are in Group B alongside Germany, Egypt and Great Britain. France, bronze medallists at the last edition, are in Group C with Australia, Canada and Venezuela. The other seeded teams will also be among the leading contenders in Buenos Aires: Sweden (Group D), Italy (Group E), Netherlands (Group F), Chile (Group G) and Mexico (Group H). The men’s group stage will conclude on Wednesday 16 September. The final phase, determining all 32 positions, will begin the following day.

 

Men’s draw

 

Group A: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Ukraine

Group B: Spain, Germany, Egypt and Great Britain

Group C: France, Australia, Canada and Venezuela

Group D: Sweden, Belgium, Slovakia and Lithuania

Group E: Italy, USA, Japan and Ireland

Group F: Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Paraguay

Group G: Chile, Ecuador, Portugal and Croatia

Group H: Mexico, Finland, Gibraltar and Austria

 

WOMEN Defending champions Spain are in Group A with Chile and Lithuania. Among their leading players are Lucia Sainz, a former world No. 1, and Lorena Alonso. The Spanish legends have one objective: to claim a fourth consecutive FIP Senior World Cup title. Challenging the champions will be Argentina, who open Group H alongside Portugal, Switzerland and Canada. After finishing runners-up in the 2024 edition, France are seeded in Group B alongside Paraguay and Germany. Italy, drawn with Brazil and Uruguay, will be aiming to win another bronze medal. The women’s group stage will also conclude on Wednesday 16 September. The knockout phase, which will determine all 26 positions, will begin the following day.

 

Women’s draw

 

Group A: Spain, Chile and Lithuania

Group B: France, Germany and Paraguay

Group C: Italy, Brazil and Uruguay

Group D: Netherlands, Denmark and Austria

Group E: Sweden, Australia and Gibraltar

Group F: Belgium, Great Britain and Ecuador

Group G: USA, Mexico, Japan and Ireland

Group H: Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland and Canada

 

DAY 1 SCHEDULE Day 1 will feature 26 matches. From 9 am local time on Monday 14 September, attention will turn to the debut of the Argentina women’s team against Switzerland and Spain’s players against Lithuania. Not before 3:30 pm local time, the men’s teams from Argentina and Spain will also take to the court: the former will face Uruguay, while the latter will take on Egypt.