FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: What You Need to Know About the Competition

Every two years, the global celebration of football heads to the beach to crown a new world champion in the sport known as "Beach Football."

After Russia hosted the 11th edition of the Beach Soccer World Cup in 2021 (originally scheduled for 2023, but postponed by FIFA), the crowning of the new sand soccer champion brings the action back to the shores of the United Arab Emirates.

When does the ball start rolling on the sands of the United Arab Emirates? Who will succeed the current world champion, Russia? Can Portugal achieve a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup three-peat?

To find out the answers to these questions and more, stay with us and learn everything about another thrilling edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Who will host the 12th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup?

On December 8th, the host for the 12th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was revealed.

The contenders for hosting included Bahrain, Colombia, the Seychelles Islands, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. As mentioned earlier, the honour of hosting the world's best beach soccer teams fell on the United Arab Emirates, marking the second time this country on the Arabian Peninsula will host the tournament (the first was in 2009).

Note: The Seychelles Islands secured the organization for the 2025 edition.

When does it start, and where will the World Cup take place?

The Beach Soccer World Cup was initially scheduled to take place between November 16 and 26 of the previous year. However, to give the United Arab Emirates more time to prepare for the event, FIFA decided to postpone the tournament to February 15-25, 2024.

Just like in 2009, the first time the United Arab Emirates hosted the event, the dream stage will be set on the sands of Dubai, the second city after Rio de Janeiro to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Which teams are participating, and how are they grouped?

The 12th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will feature 16 teams from six continental confederations.

Alongside the Portuguese beach soccer team attempting to erase the disappointing performance in the last tournament and the host country, the championship will include Brazil, Spain (replacing Ukraine, which had qualified), Belarus, Italy, Argentina, Colombia (making their debut), the United States, Egypt (making their debut), Mexico, Senegal, Oman, Japan, Iran, and Tahiti.

It's noteworthy that Russia, the defending world champion, is unable to defend its title due to suspension by FIFA.

In the group stage draw for this World Cup, the 16 participating teams are distributed as follows:

Group A

United Arab Emirates

Egypt

Italy

United States

Group B

Spain

Iran

Argentina

Tahiti

Group C

Senegal

Belarus

Colombia

Japan

Group D

PORTUGAL

Brazil

Mexico

Oman

The top two teams from each group in the initial phase qualify for the quarterfinals, with the matchups as follows:

1st in Group D vs. 2nd in Group C

1st in Group C vs. 2nd in Group D

1st in Group A vs. 2nd in Group B

1st in Group B vs. 2nd in Group A

This means that if Portugal advances past the group stage, they will face Senegal, Colombia, Belarus, or Japan (the World Cup runner-up).

In case one or more teams finish the initial stage tied, FIFA tiebreaker criteria include goal difference first, followed by the total number of goals scored by each team. If the tie persists, teams are ranked based on points earned in games against each other; goal difference in games between the teams (when more than two teams are tied); number of goals scored in games between the teams; fair play; and finally, a draw.

Who are the top contenders?

With the absence of Russia, the three-time world champion, the battle for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup title promises to be intense.

As usual, Portugal and Brazil enter another World Cup as the top contenders for the title.

Despite their last world title dating back to 2017, Brazil is the favourite to lift the beautiful FIFA World Beach Soccer trophy for the sixth time in their history.

While Brazil is the presumed favourite due to being the most decorated team in the sport's history, Portugal won't have an easy journey to the shores of the United Arab Emirates.

With a team undergoing renewal after the retirement of the legendary Madjer, the squad led by the eternal Mário Narciso aims to secure a third consecutive title after victories in 2015 (in Portugal, Espinho) and 2019 (in Paraguay, Asunción).

Fun fact: Madjer, with 88 goals in 49 games, is the all-time leading scorer in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history.

In a second tier of favouritism, we can't forget about the runner-up Japan led by captain Ozu Moreira, the surprising Senegal (4th place in Russia and Portugal's group stage nemesis in that tournament), Italy (runners-up in 2008 and 2019), Switzerland (3rd in 2021), and Tahiti (world runners-up in 2015 and 2017).

Among the group of world champions, besides Russia, the only missing team is France, the champion in the inaugural FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup held in 2005.

Who are Mário Narciso's chosen ones for the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup?

Mário Narciso has called up 13 players for the international commitments.

Here's the squad list:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Dias (ACD Sótão), Pedro Mano (SC Braga) and Rúben Regufe (Leixões SC)

Forwards: Bruno Torres (SC Braga), Bernardo Lopes (ACD Sótão) and André Lourenço (SC Braga)

Wingers: Bê Martins (SC Braga), Duarte Algarvio (SC Braga), Jordan Santos (ACD Sótão), Rodrigo Pinhal (CD Nacional) and Rúben Brilhante (SC Braga).

Pivots: Léo Martins (SC Braga) and Miguel Pintado (SC Braga)