2026 World Cup: France in Group J (+19)

As announced@francepickleballon Instagram, France finally knows its group for the category+19(Open) of thePickleball World Cup 2026. The Blues will face theSouth Korea, thereCroatiaand theCambodiain thehen J. The draw, made official in Da Nang on August 16, 2026, places the French selection in a group that is affordable on paper, but demanding from the first match: no nation is to be neglected in a format of sixteen groups of four teams.

Da Nang 2026: the framework of the competition

The Heineken Pickleball World Cup is held fromAugust 30 to September 6, 2026hasDa Nang, in Vietnam, first Asian edition of the event. The organizers announce more than4,000 athletes(some Vietnamese press releases even mention more than 5,000 participants) from around80 to 81 countries and territories, divided into national categories Open, Senior, Master, Junior and Kids. Main venues include Tien Son Sports Palace and Tuyen Son Sports Village, with other satellite courts around the city.

According to the published calendar, the Open and Senior group stages start onThursday September 3, after several days devoted mainly to the individual international tournament. The opening ceremony is scheduled forSeptember 2. For the French delegation, this leaves a short window between arrival, acclimatization to the heat and the first group match.

Pool J: read the draw without naivety

The Open draw places France with South Korea (19th seed DUPR Open according to the ranking published around the draw), Croatia and Cambodia. It's not the "group of death", but it's not a formality either. South Korea is making rapid progress in Asia; Croatia represents emerging Europe; Cambodia illustrates the expansion of the global plateau. In a format where only the best teams from each group advance, the first match often sets the mental tone for the week.

The category+19announced by France Pickleball corresponds to the national Open table: it is the reference level of selections, the one where the highest DUPRs and players like Jay Devilliers (cited among the international names expected in Da Nang) carry the tricolor ambition. Our article on2026 World Cup in Da Nangdetails the overall format; the one on theFrench selectionremember who wears the jersey.

An already well-framed federal context

The FFT has structured the preparation around identified captains, including Caroline Dhenin on the Seniors/international competitions section. The federal objective remains twofold: to be competitive on the field and to show that a national pickleball team can exist under the French banner, just a few months after ministerial recognition and the first national championships.

For clubs, this draw is a motivational tool. Seeing France in a concrete global group (adversaries named, dates known, places listed) makes the collective project tangible. Players aiming for a high national level now know what to measure themselves against: volume of matches, heat management, double communication, and ability to continue under international pressure.

What the hen changes for the preparation

Three opponents means three potential styles to scout. South Korea has benefited from the Asian dynamic of sport and a dense racket culture. Croatia arrives with a European base still under construction but motivated. Cambodia, less rated in the DUPR Open ranking, can still surprise in a “zero” match if France underestimates the pace or the heat. The tricolor priority: get out of the group with the best possible record and conserve energy for the direct elimination tables.

In terms of equipment and infrastructure, a national selection is also being prepared outside the borders. Clubs that host courses or intensive training need stable, legible and comfortable surfaces to carry out exchanges. This is precisely the role of acompetition pickleball court: contrasting kitchen, regular hanging, net with official dimensions, lighting and circulation correctly thought out.

How to follow France from France

Between the end of August and the beginning of September, communication from @francepickleball, captains and selected players will be the most reliable thread. The Open group slots are played on a local Vietnamese day: plan for the time difference for live shows and summaries. Even without a plane ticket, analyzing the matches in Group J remains educational: placement at the net, third ball, management of kitchen faults, choice of service.

For French structures that want to capitalize on the media momentum, the moment is ideal to open discovery slots or accelerate an equipment project. When the national team plays on the world stage, town halls and clubs listen more to pickleball files. Our pagepickleball court builderhelps transform this momentum into a quantified project.

Conclusion

France will play in Group J (+19 / Open) against South Korea, Croatia and Cambodia during the 2026 World Cup in Da Nang. The draw offers a credible path to the following rounds, provided a cautious favorite mentality and preparation adapted to the Vietnamese heat. For the French community, the main thing is there: the French team has a group, dates and a clear objective. Time to play.