Argentina have named their eight-man squad to defend the FIP Padel World Cup in Doha, Qatar, from 2 to 7 November — and the selection of Gonza Alfonso ahead of Juan Tello has become the main talking point. Coaches Gaby Reca and Rodri Ovide kept the core of the 2024 title-winning team and brought in two new names.
The squad
- Agustín Tapia — the world No 1
- Federico Chingotto
- Franco Stupaczuk
- Martín Di Nenno
- Leo Augsburger
- Tino Libaak
- Gonza Alfonso (new)
- Maxi Arce (new)
Six players continue from the team that won the title in Qatar in 2024: Tapia, Chingotto, Stupaczuk, Di Nenno, Augsburger and Libaak, according to Padel Addict. Sanyo Gutiérrez, now 42, had already said he no longer saw himself in the national team, and Álex Chozas did not keep the consistency needed this season to claim one of the eight places.
Why Alfonso and not Tello?
The federation has not published a detailed explanation, and neither Padel Addict nor Padel Magazine reports an official reason. What the season does show is the case for Alfonso. His partnership with Libaak has become one of the most consistent on the tour: the pair reached two quarter-finals in Madrid and Rotterdam, and the International Padel Federation confirmed their joint selection on 8 October, on the day they reached the last 16 in Düsseldorf.
They have kept that form going this week at the Milano P1, beating eighth seeds Mike Yanguas and Pablo Lijó 6-1 7-6 to set up a quarter-final against the defending champions Ale Galán and Chingotto. Selecting Alfonso also gives the coaches a ready-made pair. Tello, who had featured on several provisional lists and partners Arce on the tour, lost his opening match in Milan alongside him.
A title to defend
The World Cup is a team competition: each tie is decided over three matches played by three different pairs, with the first nation to win two taking the tie. Argentina won the men's title in 2024, when Libaak and Augsburger played the decisive match of the final against Spain, while Spain won the women's event. The format places a premium on depth — which is exactly why the choice of the eighth player attracts so much debate.
The women's team
Argentina's women's squad is led by Delfi Brea, the joint world No 1 with Gemma Triay, alongside Claudia Jensen, Aranzazu Osoro, Martina Fassio, María Laura Ferreyra, Virginia Riera, Julieta Bidahorria and Victoria Vílchez.
Follow the players' form before Doha on our padel rankings and calendar.
Sources
This article was written by TiebreakNews from the reporting below, checked against official results and rankings.
- Padel Addict — Convocatoria de Argentina para el Mundial de Pádel 2026
- International Padel Federation — Day 2: Libaak-Alfonso, double joy — into the round of 16 in Düsseldorf and selected for the FIP World Cup
- Padel Magazine — Mondial 2026 : Maxi Arce dévoile ses huit Argentins
- Tennis Tonic — How Tino Libaak and Gonzalo Alfonso sent a major World Championship message in Rotterdam
- StudyPadel — Padel World Cup 2026 — schedule, groups and teams