Kicking Off a New Era: Inside FIFA’s Bold Vision for the First Women’s Futsal World Cup

With 77 nations in qualifiers, a culturally rich brand, and a bold legacy plan, FIFA’s first Women’s Futsal World Cup is set to redefine the game — and inspire generations to come.

In 2025, FIFA will launch a historic milestone — the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, a tournament set to elevate the women’s game to new heights. From shaping a brand identity rooted in Filipino culture to tackling infrastructure challenges and building a long-term legacy, FIFA is laying the foundation for a transformative global event.

In this exclusive interview, Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Tournament Director, takes us behind the scenes of the preparations, sharing insights into key milestones, strategic goals, and the powerful vision driving the tournament forward. With over 70 nations vying for a spot and a clear focus on development, visibility, and sustainability, this is more than just a competition — it’s a defining moment for women’s futsal.

Tournament Preparations – What are the key milestones FIFA has achieved so far in preparing for the Women’s Futsal World Cup, and what are the biggest challenges still ahead?

The first edition of this tournament in 2025 is part of FIFA’s strategic objective to develop the women’s game on all fronts. The tournament is both the result of the growth and strength of women’s futsal and a catalyst for the sport’s further development. A new chapter in the history of the game is being written by FIFA and the host country.

Regarding tournament preparations, we have an impressive 77 teams from every continent competing in the qualifiers. All six confederations will have organised a qualification tournament for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. This is a first for CAF, Concacaf and OFC.

The host country and New Zealand have already booked a place in the tournament. By the end of the qualifying process in May, they will be joined by four European teams, three South American teams, three Asian teams, two African teams and two from North, Central America and the Caribbean teams.

One of the challenges we’ve experienced is the lack of futsal facilities in the Philippines. However, with the Philippines Football Federation we are working to develop facilities that will be used for the world cup and leave a lasting legacy for the host nation.

Brand Identity & Inspiration – Can you share the vision behind the tournament’s brand identity? What message does FIFA want this branding to convey about the future of women’s futsal?

The Philippines is a destination renowned for its beauty and culture – and we are delighted to see it represented through the tournament’s emblem. The image has a distinctly Filipino flavour: references to local street art, motifs, patterns and relevant elements of local culture. The brand also portrays a game that is always in motion, that has speed, the ball, the shape of the pitch and the five players of each team. It’s a perfect fusion of the sport and the host country.

2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup brand – Source of the image: FIFA

Securing Media Coverage – What strategies does FIFA have in place to ensure both domestic and international media give this tournament the attention it deserves, helping to grow its visibility and attract new audiences?

We work with our local organising committee, broadcast partners, social media, promo and media team to ensure that the tournament receives wide exposure. Our strong partnership with the Local Organizing Committee will enable us to take advantage of targeted promotional activities, local advertising and domestic broadcast opportunities.

With a focus on digital through multiple channels and platforms, FIFA intends to engage the highest number of people in relation to women’s futsal. As part of the tournament strategy, we are targeting GenZ and younger audiences. Local and international promotion is key, and the brand launch will now kick off series of tournament promotions such as trophy tours, ball and ticketing launches, and other fan engagement activities.

Jaime Yarza, FIFA’s Tournament Director – Source of the image: FIFA

Sustainability & Domestic Impact – Many nations still lack structured women’s futsal leagues. How does FIFA plan to leverage the competition to encourage federations to invest more in women’s futsal game beyond this tournament?

The PFF and FIFA are working on a legacy and development plan to ensure a sustainable and long-term future for futsal in the country. Actions will include upgrading and expanding playing facilities, building the capacity of players, coaches and referees, and increasing domestic and international playing opportunities. In Uzbekistan, for example, by the time the men’s FIFA Futsal World Cup kicked off, two new futsal facilities has been built and were being used for the national team, and more futsal arenas and training facilities were operational in the country than ever before.

In a country of over 110 million people, we also have a unique and great opportunity to introduce futsal to children, especially girls, not only as a recreational sport, but as a sport they want to play and pursue. We aim to increase the number of futsal players of all ages and genders in the Philippines and set an example of successful development for other FIFA member associations. This September ahead of the tournament draw, FIFA plans to organize the 1^st FIFA Futsal Seminar in September in Manila.

Philippine Football Federation President John Gutierrez – Source of the image: FIFA

Globally, we already have growing national professional leagues that are setting benchmarks for women’s futsal. But we will increase the activity in the women’s futsal calendar with more international matches. Over the past three years, we’ve averaged just under 150 matches a year. We expect this number to increase from 2025 onwards. We are working with the confederations to create recurring continental senior competitions and more opportunities for national teams to play more.

And we are also looking at other fronts: Futsal will be a FIFA discipline at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and both men and women will be represented by youth national teams.

Marketing & promotional focus: Will this FIFA tournament give the talented futsal players the spotlight and use it for encouraging futsal participation or is the message about football player development with football advertising at a futsal event?

Women’s futsal stars will be born and recognized through the first ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. The tournament will allow us to showcase women’s futsal on a global scale like never before, highlighting the best players in the world and the unique attributes of futsal. And we are sure it will be a big success.

Together with the host country, we will provide a tournament with the highest level of conditions, service and experience, giving female players a global stage to showcase their achievements. We also will leave a tangible legacy within the Philippines. We are working with the local federation to improve the futsal infrastructure in the country by providing new top quality futsal pitches, goals and equipment for the tournament. This will inspire new players to join the game and support the development of women’s futsal.

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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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