Le  Brazil has unveiled its squad for the FIP 2026 World Cup , organized in Qatar  November 2-7 An eight-player roster led by  Pablo Lima , with one absence that immediately stands out:  Lucas Campagnolo will not be making the trip .

Actuellement  18th in the world  As the second-highest ranked Brazilian player after Lucas Bergamini, the 31-year-old was logically one of the key players in the national team. His absence, for personal reasons, further weakens a Brazilian team that has been struggling with player renewal for several years.

Campagnolo absent for personal reasons

The absence of  Lucas Campagnolo  This is not related to a sporting decision by Pablo Lima. The player himself reportedly informed the national team that he would not be available during the week of the World Cup.

The reason :  his sister's wedding which he wishes to attend.

A significant absence from a sporting perspective. Associated this season with  Momo González Campagnolo currently forms the  world number 8 pair  and remains, with  Lucas Bergamini , one of the leading Brazilian references on the professional circuit.

Without him, Brazil loses one of its main weapons when facing the best nations in the world.

A particularly experienced selection

This absence also highlights a deeper problem:  the lack of new talent at the highest level of Brazilian padel .

Of the eight players called up by Pablo Lima, only two are under 30 years old:  Lucas Fernández, 22, and Diogo Rodrigues, 19 .

The Brazilian squad for the World Cup:

  •  Lucas Bergamini , 29 years
  •  Joao Pedro Flores , 30 years
  •  Matheus Simonato , 34 years
  •  Julio Julianoti , 37 years
  •  André Freitas , 38 years
  •  Stefano Flores , 42 years
  •  Lucas Fernández , 22 years
  •  Diogo Rodrigues , 19 years

Brazil therefore still relies heavily on experienced players who have made their mark on national padel, while the new generation is slow to establish itself permanently at the highest international level.

The status of third world nation increasingly threatened

Historically, the  Brazil has long been considered the third power in world padel , behind the two giants, Spain and Argentina.

The country has also produced players capable of reaching the pinnacle of professional padel, starting with  Pablo Lima , former world number 1 and now national coach.

But competition has intensified considerably.  Italy, France, or even Portugal  now have players established on the international circuit and can seriously aspire to overtake Brazil.

The last World Cup had already sent a warning: the Brazilians had finished in the  sixth place including a defeat against the United Arab Emirates in their last match.

A significant gap behind Bergamini and Campagnolo

This may be where Pablo Lima's main problem lies.  The gap between the Bergamini-Campagnolo duo and the rest of the Brazilian players remains significant.  in terms of ranking and experience at the highest current level.

The presence of young players such as  Lucas Fernandez and Diogo Rodrigues  offers prospects for the future, but the renewal is not yet sufficiently advanced to compensate immediately.

And without Campagnolo in Qatar, the challenge becomes even more complicated.

Brazil will therefore be present at  FIP World 2026  without their second-best player, with an experienced but transitioning squad. More than this temporary absence, it is now  the ability of Brazilian padel to bring forth a new generation  which raises questions, as its historical status behind Spain and Argentina is increasingly contested.

Benjamin Dupouy

I discovered padel directly during a tournament, and frankly, I didn't really like it at first. But the second time, it was love at first sight, and since then, I haven't missed a single match. I'm even ready to stay up until 3am to watch a final of Premier Padel !

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