Doha, October 19 (QNA) - The Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation has signed a partnership agreement with TotalEnergies Qatar, naming the company the official sponsor of FIP World Cup Qatar 2026, which will take place in Doha from Nov. 2 to 7, with 32 national teams competing in the men's and women's categories.

The agreement is part of the federation's efforts to strengthen partnerships with the private sector, support the development of padel and help ensure the success of international tournaments hosted by Qatar, amid growing global interest in the sport.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Tariq Zainal, the tournament director, said the federation was proud of its longstanding partnership with TotalEnergies Qatar. He praised the company's sponsorship of the 2026 World Cup and its role in supporting sports and community initiatives, building on its continued backing of tournaments and events organized by the federation.

Zainal said Qatar's selection to host the 2026 and 2028 editions of the World Padel Championships reflected international confidence in the country's organizational capabilities, advanced sports facilities and experienced national workforce, which has helped deliver major global sporting events. He added that the federation looked forward to organizing an outstanding tournament in cooperation with its partners and providing an exceptional sporting experience for players and spectators, further strengthening Qatar's position as a host of major international competitions.

Antoine Delafargue, Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Qatar and Country Chair, said he was pleased to begin a new chapter in the longstanding partnership with the Qatar Tennis, Squash, Padel and Badminton Federation through FIP World Cup Qatar 2026.

He said the company's sponsorship reflected its continued commitment to supporting sports in Qatar amid the rapid growth of padel. He added that TotalEnergies Qatar looked forward to helping ensure the tournament's success and delivering a memorable experience for players and spectators from Qatar and around the world.

FIP World Cup Qatar 2026 will feature 32 national teams — 16 men's teams and 16 women's teams — competing at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. The tournament will offer total prize money of EUR 1.2 million, divided equally between the men's and women's competitions.

Doha will host the championship for the third time, following the 2021 and 2024 editions, underscoring Qatar's growing presence on the international sporting calendar. (QNA)