Breakthroughs and Triumphs: Europe’s Path to the First FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup

Established Teams and Newcomers Vie for Glory in a Competitive Qualifying Campaign Across Europe

The European qualifiers for the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup from the 15th of October to Saturday the 19th, highlighted both the rise of established teams and the promise of new entrants, with Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Sweden advancing to the elite round. This round, scheduled for March 2025, will determine the European representatives for the World Cup finals in the Philippines later that year. These teams joined top seeds Portugal and Spain after emerging victorious in their respective mini-tournaments. The stakes are high, as only four European teams will secure spots at the World Cup.

Main picture: French National Futsal team, source: sofoot.com

France‘s debut was particularly noteworthy, as they not only competed but topped Group 3, defeating the likes of Ukraine. This victory marked a significant milestone for the French futsal program, which has been rapidly developing. Head coach Pierre-Etienne Demillier expressed immense pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing their preparation and cohesion. Captain Alexandra Atamaniuk highlighted the symbolic importance of their success, viewing it as a turning point for women’s futsal in France. The team’s next goal is to fine-tune their tactics ahead of the elite round, using this opportunity to bolster the sport’s visibility and development back home.

Finland‘s performance was similarly dominant, securing a 100% record in Group 4. They relied on a blend of tactical discipline and effective counter-attacks, which coach Sandra Lind described as key to their success. The Finnish side demonstrated cohesion and consistency, critical factors as they prepare for the elite round.

In Hungary, the team built on their strong UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO legacy, topping Group 2. Despite a challenging match against fellow newcomer Norway, they displayed resilience by coming back from two goals down. Coach Imre Lódi expressed satisfaction with the team’s ability to adapt under pressure, pointing out that their experience in previous tournaments has strengthened their resolve and strategic depth.

Host nation Sweden dominated Group 5, taking advantage of their home support to secure three wins. Their coach highlighted the team’s flexibility, which allowed them to transition smoothly between defensive solidity and aggressive pressing when needed. The Swedish side is now focused on maintaining this momentum as they progress to the elite round.

Poland also showed strong form in Group 6, defeating tough opponents like the Netherlands. The team’s approach, blending players from traditional football backgrounds with specialized futsal training, proved effective. Their coach stressed that this qualification represents years of strategic planning and development, setting the stage for further progress in the elite round​.

For the newcomers, this qualifying round was both a testing ground and a learning experience. England, participating in their first major futsal competition, secured a victory against Moldova. Despite not progressing, their coach described this debut as crucial for gaining international experience and understanding the competitive futsal landscape. The focus now is on developing a stronger domestic system to build a competitive future squad.

England were one of three nations making their competitive women’s futsal debuts FMF / Anna Rotary – source: UEFA

Norway also had a promising debut, displaying resilience by bouncing back with wins against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Belarus after an initial defeat to Hungary. The Norwegian Football Federation sees this tournament as an impetus to invest further in the sport, aiming to build a stronger foundation and youth development pipeline to compete consistently at the European level.

These qualifiers not only demonstrated the talent and growth of traditional powerhouses but also highlighted the promising future for debutants like France, England, and Norway. As these teams prepare for the elite round, the competition promises to be intense, with established teams and new challengers alike vying for a place on the world stage.

2025 Futsal Women’s World Cup: Confederation slots

Hosts: 1 (Philippines)
AFC: 3
CAF: 2
CONCACAF: 2
CONMEBOL: 3
OFC: 1 (New Zealand)
UEFA: 4

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

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