Alexandria, the point for a new continental landscape
The FIP Junior Africa Padel Cup reached a turning point, moving from the planning stage to the padel court. The opening ceremony and draw on June 16 kicked off this inaugural edition, held in Alexandria, ahead of four days of competition. For the first time, Africa is included in the FIP calendar of junior team competitions, a milestone that provides a continental frame for the continent’s young players.
The matches will take place from June 17 to 20, 2026, atthe Alexandria Sporting Club, with the final round played on outdoor courts. The tournament’s official page, available on the FIP website, confirms that both men’s and women’s events will be organized in partnership with the Egyptian Padel Federation. The first-ever African junior finals will be held on June 20, an event with both sporting and symbolic significance: setting a benchmark for future generations.
U14, U16, U18: The teams are taking shape
The competition features three age categories— U14, U16, and U18—for both boys and girls. The boys’ bracket includes Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, and Tunisia, while the girls’ bracket features Egypt, Senegal, and Tunisia. This format highlights the depth of each country’s talent pool: a nation doesn’t just field a strong pair; it must present several generations of players capable of sustaining the intensity of a team tournament.
On the Tunisian side, the Tunisian Tennis Federation has announced the full roster for this first continental competition:
- U18 Boys: Yassine Kechrid – Youssef Sassi.
- U16 Boys: Malek Ben Othmen – Haroun Abassi.
- U14 Boys: Hamza Abssi – Yahya Marrakchi.
- U18 Girls: Lilia Zayani – Maya Ftouh.
- U16 Girls: Alya Zayani – Zeineb Essedik.
- U14 Girls: Dina Hichri – Zeina Bouzayène.
This list also makes the event feel more tangible: behind the official announcement are young male and female players who are about to experience an international setting, high-stakes matches, and a continental competition that is still taking shape.
A milestone for Egypt and for Africa’s NextGen
The choice of Alexandria is no coincidence. The FIP highlights Egypt as one of the driving forces behind padel in Africa, with approximately 1,500 courts and more than 380,000 amateur players. The country has also gained international visibility by hosting the NewGiza P2 tournament on tour for Premier Padel, ahead of hosting this first continental junior event.
The next event is already on the calendar: Egypt is also set to host the 2027 FIP Africa Padel Cup. This continuity changes the significance of the week in Alexandria. The junior tournament isn’t just a footnote in the history books: it establishes a meeting point, compels federations to organize their national teams, and provides young players with a continental stage before they move up to the senior ranks.
To remember
- The first African junior team competition held under the FIP banner.
- The finals are scheduled for June 20 in Alexandria, featuring the U14, U16, and U18 titles.
- The event confirms Egypt’s promotion as a powerhouse of African padel.
