Mediterranean Games 2026: France unveils its selection for a historic padel event

This is a historic meeting. From  21 3 September 2026 August Taranto, Italy, will host the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games. For the first time since the event's inception in 1951, the  Padel will be included in the official program as a medal-awarding discipline. with men's, women's and mixed competitions. A new step in the international recognition of the discipline, following its appearance at the European Games in Krakow in 2023.

A few weeks before this deadline, the French Tennis Federation unveiled the selection that will represent France.

A rejuvenated men's team

Captain  Pablo Ayma  selected four players:

•  Dylan Guichard 
•  Bastien Blanqué 
•  Timeo Fonteny 
•  Yoan Boronad 

This selection illustrates the gradual renewal of the French team. Bastien Blanqué will bring his experience from major international competitions, while Dylan Guichard confirms his status as a leader of the new generation.

By their side,  Timeo Fonteny  et  Yoan Boronad  continue their rise. The two young Frenchmen have recently distinguished themselves on the circuit Premier Padel by incorporating, in particular, the main table of  Pretoria P1 .

Pretoria P1: Boronad and Fonteny come very close to a big win against Fernandez and Vilariño

However, Thomas Leygue was notably absent…

The French women's national team is banking on experience.

In the women's competition, Juan Alday will rely on:

•  Charlotte Soubrié 
•  Steffi Merah 
•  Lucile Pothier 
•  Louise Bahurel 

It should be noted that the new Argentinian coach of the French women's team will not be present in Italy. Pablo Ayma and Yann Auradou will be in charge of coaching the French women's and men's teams during this event.

The team combines players experienced in international competition with those capable of causing an upset in a tournament that will bring together several major Mediterranean padel nations. For Steffi Merah, this is her first time representing France, clearly preferred to Parisians Camille Sireix and Clara Mansart. Notably absent are the three best French players: Alix Collombon, Léa Godallier, and Carla Touly.

The French national team staff will be completed by the physiotherapist.  Christophe Ceccaldi .

Following on from the European Games in Krakow

Although padel will make its debut at the Mediterranean Games, France already has experience in major multi-sport competitions.

En  2023 The French national team had participated in  European Games of Krakow This was the first appearance of padel in a multi-sport competition recognized by the Olympic movement. The French team left without a medal, but several performances confirmed the potential of the French team.

The duo  Lucile Pothier / Thomas Leygue  had notably reached the semi-finals of the mixed tournament before failing to reach the podium, while the men's teams had seen their journey end in the quarter-finals against particularly tough competition.

European Games: defeated, Pothier and Leygue will play bronze

This first experience now constitutes a valuable point of reference before the Italian meeting.

Nineteen nations expected in Taranto

The padel tournament will take place from  22 at August 28  au  Salinella Mediterranean Park , a new installation built specifically for the event. In total,  19 delegations  are expected with  136 athletes This demonstrates the enthusiasm generated by this first official edition. The competitions will take place in  male, female and mixed paintings .

Facing France will be, in particular, the major powers of the sport such as  spain ,  Italy  or  Portugal who will also be aiming for the first medals in padel history at the Mediterranean Games.

The inclusion of padel in the Mediterranean Games is much more than just a new competition. Following the 2023 European Games, this integration represents a further step forward in the international development of the sport and its closer ties with the Olympic movement.

For the French team, the objective will be twofold: to try to win a first medal in a competition that is expected to grow in importance over the years, while confirming the progress of French padel on the international scene.

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