France, Chile, Mexico and Paraguay: four teams in the running for ninth place in the men’s competition

Paraguay defeat the United States to reach the semi-finals, where they will face Chile in an all-South American derby. Following their quarter-final victories, France and Mexico will meet for a place in the final

 

DOHA – France, Paraguay, Chile and Mexico are the four national teams still in contention for positions 9-12 at the FIP World Cup 2026. The quarter-final action in Doha produced some closely contested encounters. France defeated Qatar 2-0, with victories for the pairs Leygue/Fonteny and Joris/Bergeron against M. Saadon Alkuwari/AlHarrasi and Al Khanji/K. Saadon Alkuwari respectively. France will face Mexico in the semi-finals after the latter defeated the United Arab Emirates 2-0. In the opening match, Pablo Padilla/Arredondo secured a dominant victory over Al Janahi/Walid Kamal. The decisive point for the South American team came courtesy of Torre/Amora Hernandez, who defeated Icardo/Alabdulla in a third-set tie-break (6-4, 4-6, 7-6).

 

In the other half of the draw, Paraguay produced a strong performance to overcome the United States 2-0. The opening match was closely contested, with Abud/Dehnike defeating Segura/Di Francesco in three sets (6-3, 4-6, 6-2). Paraguay secured their place in the next round through Gonzalez/Miltos, who defeated Osses Konig/Ruiz Alvarez (7-6, 6-3). Paraguay will now compete for a place in the ninth-place final in an all-South American semi-final against Chile, who eliminated Australia in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory. In the opening match, Martinez/Salinas Ordenes defeated Bechard/Melisi in three sets (6-4, 4-6, 6-2), before Valdes/Molina’s victory over Navarro/Zelba sealed the tie. (The third matches were not played, in accordance with the regulations, following an agreement between the two teams where the result could no longer affect qualification.)

 

The winning teams must now turn their attention to Friday 6 November, when the semi-finals will determine the two final match-ups: one for positions 9-10 and the other for positions 11-12. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and the United States will contest the semi-finals for positions 13-16.

 

SEMI-FINALS – POSITIONS 9-12

 

France-Mexico

Paraguay-Chile

 

SEMI-FINALS – POSITIONS 13-16

 

Qatar-United Arab Emirates

United States-Australia