Ever dreamed of rocking your country’s colors while playing the sport you love? That moment is here.

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Pickleball has already taken over your neighborhood courts, rec centers, and college campuses. But this fall, it’s leveling up all the way to the world stage. From October 27 to November 2, over 60 countries will battle it out at The Fort in Florida for the Pickleball World Cup.

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And here’s the game-changer: DUPR is the official rating system used to select who gets to represent their nation.

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That means when Team USA, Team Venezuela, Team Czech Republic, Team Peru, and dozens more march in at the opening ceremony, they’re not just carrying their flags; they’re carrying their DUPR scores.

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Because in this World Cup, your DUPR isn’t just a number. It’s the universal language of pickleball. It’s what gives every underdog a chance, what makes the matchups fair, and what turns every rally into a true clash of equals.

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Don’t have a DUPR yet? Here’s how to get your first pickleball rating. 

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From a Family Dream to the World Stage 

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It all started with two siblings from Peru: Hercilio Cabieses (DUPR 5.987) and Miranda Cabieses (DUPR 4.761). During the pandemic, pickleball brought their family together. What began as teaching in public parks, drawing chalk lines on courts, and making the sport accessible for kids, seniors, and even people in prisons turned into something much bigger.

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“When we founded Pickleball Peru, we wanted to give everyone access,” said Hercilio. “But then we realized that this sport isn’t just national, it’s global. Why not create a World Cup?”

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In 2023, the dream became reality. With only eight weeks of planning, 14 countries showed up in Lima, Peru for the pilot event. A year later, 32 nations competed. And this year? Over 60 countries are confirmed. 

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What It Means to Represent Your Country

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The pride of walking out in your country’s jersey is unmatched. Just ask the players:

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• Valentina Rosales (Venezuela, age 14): “It was my first time representing Venezuela. I didn’t expect to win, I just wanted to play my best. But I ended up with two gold medals. Playing in front of flags from all over the world, feeling that pressure; it was the most amazing experience of my life.”

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• Iván Pérez (Panama, Seniors): “I started playing at 58 years old. Being at the World Cup showed me I could compete at the highest level, even against pros. For me, this is our Olympics.”

• Pedro Maldonado (Puerto Rico, Open Champion): “Winning a tournament is great. But winning for Puerto Rico, with our flag on my chest? That’s a different kind of pride. When we lifted the cup, the entire island celebrated.”

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• ‍Steve Rose (USA, Senior Captain): “Putting on the USA uniform is such an honor. I’ll never make the Olympics, so this is the next best thing.”

DUPR: The Pickleball World Cup’s Official Rating

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For the first time, DUPR is the official rating system for team selection. That means whether you’re in Puerto Rico, Panama, or the Czech Republic, federations are using the same trusted rating to choose their rosters.

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“DUPR has become the global language of pickleball,” says Hercilio. “Some federations set minimum DUPR ratings to even apply for the team. Others pick their top players based directly on their DUPR. It’s what makes competition fair across borders.”

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For players, that means one thing: your DUPR is your passport. If you’ve ever dreamed of representing your country, keeping your score current is step one.

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Why This World Cup Feels Different

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This isn’t just a pro event. Alongside the elite matches, there’s also an International Open Tournament where juniors, seniors, and amateurs can play, repping their country’s colors even if they didn’t make the national squad.

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At the end of each day, medals are tallied by country. So whether you’re battling in a 3.0 bracket or playing for gold in the Open finals, every win contributes to your nation’s total.

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Add in a parade of nations, live broadcasts on Telemundo Deportes, and the energy of thousands of fans, and you’ve got a pickleball experience unlike anything else in the world.

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If you are interested in attending the World Cup, you can purchase tickets here.

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The Big Vision: Olympic Dreams 

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The Cabieses siblings aren’t shy about it. Their dream is to make the Pickleball World Cup bigger than the FIFA World Cup one day.

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Ambitious? Sure. Impossible? Not if pickleball keeps growing like it is. And with DUPR keeping the playing field fair, the stage is set for global legitimacy and maybe, just maybe, a shot at the Olympics.

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Why This Matters for You

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You don’t have to be pro to be inspired by the World Cup. The same team formats, DreamBreakers, and underdog stories that make the World Cup electric are popping up in DUPR Leagues and DUPR Clubs around the world.

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If underdogs can upset favorites on the world stage, why not you at your next league night? Why not your team in your club’s DUPR event?

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👉 Check the DUPR App to track your rating, see local events, and keep chasing your own shot at history.

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Because who knows…Next year, you might be the one walking into the stadium behind your flag.