2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup

The 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup will be the ninth FIFA Futsal World Cup, the quadrennial international futsal championship contested by the men's national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament will be held in Lithuania.[1] It will mark the first FIFA tournament ever hosted by Lithuania and the first Futsal World Cup in Europe since 1996, which was held in Spain.

2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup
Pasaulio Salės Futbolo Čempionatas
Lithuania 2021
Tournament details
Host countryLithuania
Dates12 September – 3 October 2021
Teams24 (from 6 confederations)
Venue(s)3 (in 3 host cities)

The tournament was originally scheduled to be held from 12 September to 4 October 2020 as the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.[2] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA announced on 3 April 2020 that a decision would be made by the end of April whether the tournament would be postponed and rescheduled.[3] On 12 May 2020, FIFA announced that the tournament will be held between 12 September – 3 October 2021, subject to further monitoring.[4][5]

Argentina are the defending champions.

Host selection

The following countries bid for the tournament:[6]

  •  Costa Rica
  •  Croatia
  •  Iran
  •  Japan
  •  Kazakhstan
  •  Lithuania
  •  New Zealand
  •  United Arab Emirates

The eight bidders represent the highest ever for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Since none of these countries have ever hosted the event before, the tournament will be heading to a new location, later shortlisted to four. The Czech Republic, Egypt, Georgia, the Netherlands, and the United States expressed interest, but eventually did not bid.[7][8]

The host were originally to be appointed by December 2016,[9] then delayed to December 2017.[10] Costa Rica, Croatia, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates were later eliminated from contention.

The hosts were selected by the FIFA Council on 26 October 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda from the final four candidates: Iran, Japan, Lithuania, and New Zealand.[11] Lithuania was chosen over Iran, Japan and New Zealand as host for the 2020 edition.

Qualification

A total of 24 teams qualify for the final tournament, In addition to Lithuania who qualifies automatically as host, 23 other teams qualify from six separate continental competitions. The slot allocation was approved by the FIFA Council on 10 June 2018.[12]

Confederation Qualifying tournament Team Appearance Last appearance Previous best performance
AFC (Asia)
(5 teams)		 2020 AFC Futsal Championship TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
CAF (Africa)
(3 teams)		 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations  Angola 1st N/A Debut
 Egypt 7th 2016 Quarterfinals (2016)
 Morocco 3rd 2016 Group stage (2012, 2016)
CONCACAF (Central, North America and Caribbean)
(4 teams)		 2020 CONCACAF Futsal Championship TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
CONMEBOL (South America)
(4 teams)		 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL)  Argentina 9th 2016 Champions (2016)
 Brazil 9th 2016 Champions (1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012)
 Paraguay 7th 2016 Quarterfinals (2016)
 Venezuela 1st N/A Debut
OFC (Oceania)
(1 team)		 2019 OFC Futsal Nations Cup  Solomon Islands 4th 2016 Group stage (2008, 2012, 2016)
UEFA (Europe)
(Hosts + 6 teams)		 Host nation  Lithuania 1st N/A Debut
2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification (UEFA)  Kazakhstan 3rd 2016 Round of 16 (2016)
 Portugal 6th 2016 Third place (2000)
 Russia 7th 2016 Runners-up (2016)
 Spain 9th 2016 Champions (2000, 2004)
TBD
TBD

Venues

Lithuania presented three cities – Vilnius (Siemens Arena), Kaunas (Žalgiris Arena) and Klaipėda (Švyturys Arena) in their bid to host the event. During press conference on 22 November 2018 it was revealed that the Lithuanian Football Federation would like to expand number of host cities with up to 3 additional locations. Šiauliai (Šiauliai Arena), Panevėžys (Cido Arena) and Alytus (Alytus Arena) were named as additional candidates and are currently awaiting for a FIFA delegates inspection to determine their suitability.[13] Further negotiations should resume in February 2019.[14] An inspection was done on 10 May 2019 on all five potential host cities: Vilnius (Siemens Arena), Kaunas (Žalgiris Arena), Klaipėda (Švyturys Arena), Šiauliai (Šiauliai Arena) and Panevėžys (Cido Arena).[15]

The final decision was made on 16 October 2019, it will be staged in three cities: Vilnius (Siemens Arena), Kaunas (Žalgiris Arena) and Klaipėda (Švyturys Arena).[16] Šiauliai (Šiauliai Arena) and Panevėžys (Cido Arena) were left out due to accommodation hotel concerns.

VilniusKaunasKlaipėda
Siemens ArenaŽalgiris ArenaŠvyturys Arena
Capacity: 10,000Capacity: 13,807Capacity: 6,200

Marketing

The Emblem was launched on 17 January 2020 at the MO Museum in Vilnius.[17]

The emblem highlights two of Lithuania's proudest features: its natural resources and technological expertise. The base of the emblem represents the country's lush, green landscape, decorated with oak leaves. A symbol of strength, the native oak has been venerated in Lithuania for centuries. Following the lines of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Trophy, oaks give way to farmland and meadows in the colours of the Lithuanian flag. The prominence given to the landscape highlights Lithuania's commitment to the preservation of its natural heritage.

The top half of the emblem is inspired by Lithuania's modern technological industries. Lasers shoot skywards towards a stylised futsal pitch as a reminder of the country's accomplishments in the science and high-tech industries.

Squads

Group stage

The top two teams of each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

All times are local, EEST (UTC+3).

Group A
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Lithuania (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 A2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 A3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 A4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Host.
v
v
v
v
v
v

Group B
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 B1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 B2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 B3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 B4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
v
v
v
v
v
v

Group C
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 C1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 C2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 C3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 C4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 13 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
v
v
v
v
v
v

Group D
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 D2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 D3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 D4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 13 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
v
v
v
v
v
v

Group E
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 E1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 E2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 E3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 E4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 14 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
v
v
v
v
v
v

Group F
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 F1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 F2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 F3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible Knockout stage
4 F4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 14 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
v
v
v
v
v
v

Ranking of third-placed teams

The four best third-placed teams from the six groups advance to the knockout stage along with the six group winners and six runners-up.

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 A Third place Group A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2 B Third place Group B 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 C Third place Group C 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 D Third place Group D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 E Third place Group E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 F Third place Group F 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2021. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Fair play points; 5) Drawing of lots.

In the next stage the four third-placed teams will be matched with the winners of groups A, B, C, and D according to the tournament regulations.

Knockout stage

Bracket
 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
September –
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
3 October – Klaipėda
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 
 
 
 
September –
 
 Third place match
 
 
 
September – October –
 
 
 
  
 
September –
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Round of 16
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
v

Quarter-finals
v
v
v
v

Semi-finals
v
v

Third place match
v

Final
v

References
  1. "FIFA Council makes key decisions for the future of football development". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 26 October 2018.
  2. "FIFA futsal international match calendar 2016-2020" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 27 January 2015.
  3. "Dedicated COVID-19 working group proposes recommendations after first meeting". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 3 April 2020.
  4. "Bureau of the FIFA Council decisions on FIFA events". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 May 2020.
  5. "Lietuvoje turėjęs vykti pasaulio čempionatas atidėtas". delfi.lt (in Lithuanian). 12 May 2020.
  6. "Record numbers bid to host FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2020". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 24 May 2016.
  7. "Heavy interest in hosting 2020 futsal extravaganza". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 5 April 2016.
  8. Prie istorinės galimybės artėjantis Lietuvos futbolas slysta ant Prezidentūros laiptų?
  9. "2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup bidding process underway". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 12 March 2016.
  10. "フットサルＷ杯 ２０２０年の開催国決定は延期" (in Japanese). NHK News. 10 January 2017. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  11. "Organising Committee takes important decisions on FIFA Women's World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 1 October 2018.
  12. "FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020 – slot allocation" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 June 2018.
  13. Adomaitis, Aurimas (22 November 2018). "LFF siekia dvigubai padidinti 2020 FIFA futsalo pasaulio čempionato miestų skaičių". Futbolas.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  14. "Pasaulio čempionato organizavimo perspektyvos – Šiauliuose ir Panevėžyje" (in Lithuanian). Lithuanian Football Federation. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  15. "PREPARATION FOR THE FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CUP 2020 IN LITHUANIA IS GATHERING PACE". 10 May 2019.
  16. "Three cities set to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2020™". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 16 October 2019.
  17. "Official Emblem revealed for FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2020™". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 17 January 2020.
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