The II Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship is around the corner. The tournament, which will take place from October 5-12, is landing in the United States for the first time, and will be co hosted by Roseland Polo Club, set in Crozet, Virginia, and Virginia Polo Inc., University of Virginia Polo Club in Charlottesville, Virginia. The prestigious competition will see six countries up to 12 goals (arena polo handicap), in participation. Teams will be split in two leagues
France, Argentina, Pakistan, United States, Guatemala and Italy are the six lineups who will battle for the title. It’s worth noting that arena polo teams are made of three players each.
The first ever FIP Arena World Polo Championship took place in 2023, in Argentina, hosted by La Carona Polo Club, and was rated between 10-12 goals. The 2025 tournament format, teams will play two league games each, within their league; those teams ranked first and second in both leagues will get through to the semifinals. In case of tied records, these will be broken first by net goals, then by gross goals. All teams must play at least three matches, four chukkas. In the event of a tie, the contest will be decided on extra chukka and if the tie persists, a penalty shootout will take place to determine the winner. Also, and with regards to the weather, the event will be open air, otherwise, in case of rain, the games will be moved to the indoor arena at Virginia Polo Inc.
The semifinals will be played as follows:
First League A vs. Second League B
First League B vs. Second League A
The winners of both games will advance to the championship match, and the runners-up will cash for the third place; there will be a match for the fourth place, as well.
II FIP ARENA WORLD POLO CHAMPIONSHIP – TEAMS
LEAGUE A
France: Edouard Baradello 3, Dorian Bulteau 4, Louis Jarrigue 5. Total: 12.
Argentina: Damián Oscar Mondaca 1, Francisco Crotto 5, Andrés Lariguet 5. Total: 11.
Coach: Gonzalo Azumendi
Pakistan: Ibrahim Khalil 3, Muhammad Saqib Khakwani 4, Hamza Mawaz 5. Total: 12.
Coach: Shaukat Ali Malik
LEAGUE B
United States: Kareem Rosser 3, Jared Sheldon 5, Patrick Uretz 4. Total: 12.
Coach: Billy Sheldon
Guatemala: José Ignacio Beltranena 3, Sebastián Aycinena 4, José Miguel Aguilar 3. Total: 10.
Alternative/Coach: Antonio Aycinena 3.
Italy: Stefano Giansanti 3, Giordano Magini 4, Mariano Raigal 5. Total: 12.
Coach: Franco Piazza
FIP Arena Polo World Cup by Ale Ocampos.
