United States Secures Zone A Qualification for the XIII FIP World Polo Championship
- clickpolo
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
The United States earned its place in the XIII Federation of International Polo World Polo Championship after winning the Zone A Playoffs, held from April 29 to May 3 at the National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida.
The tournament brought together the national teams of the United States, Mexico and Guatemala, who competed for the Zone A qualification spot in the upcoming 10- to 14-goal FIP World Polo Championship.
After both the United States and Mexico recorded victories over Guatemala in the opening matches, the qualifier was decided in a final encounter between the two teams on Sunday, May 3, on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. In a competitive and physical match played under heavy rain, the United States defeated Mexico 6-4 to secure qualification.
Team captain Steve Krueger led the United States with four goals and was named Most Valuable Player. Best Playing Pony was awarded to Corona, owned by Gonzalo Teves and played by Cody Ellis, while Jason Wates received the Sportsmanship Award for his attitude, fairness and support of his peers throughout the tournament.
FIP congratulates the United States on its qualification and extends its recognition to Mexico and Guatemala for their participation, commitment and sporting spirit throughout the Zone A Playoffs.
The Federation also expresses its appreciation to the United States Polo Association for hosting the event at the National Polo Center, and to all those involved in the organization of the tournament, including officials, horse providers, teams, coaches and support staff. FIP also thanks U.S. Polo Assn. for its continued support as the Official Apparel Sponsor.
The XIII FIP World Polo Championship is expected to take place in early 2027, with host location and official dates to be confirmed.
“The Federation of International Polo extends its deepest gratitude to the United States Polo Association for their indispensable role in making this 13th edition of the World Polo Championship Zone A Playoffs a reality,” said Alex Taylor, CEO of FIP. “The National Polo Center provided a world-class environment for the teams from the USA, Mexico and Guatemala, and the quality of the horses was exceptional. The commitment shown by the participating teams, together with the work of the organizers and horse providers, reflected one of FIP’s central objectives: fostering global camaraderie and enduring friendship among players.”
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