The game on Sunday features two of football’s oldest rivalries.
But it is not just the contest at the Humo Arena, between Brazil, ranked 1st in the world and fifth ranked Argentina that will come under the spotlight.
So too is the entire set up and infrastructure, including the Humo Arena, used to host this, the tenth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup from 14 September to 6 October.
According to FIFA, the world governing body of football that organised the World Cup, it has been an “incredible event and set a wonderful legacy not only for their country, but their region too.”
For those unfamiliar with it, futsal is a fast-paced, high tempo version of the world’s No. 1 sport. It is a form of indoor football played between two teams of five players, with rolling substitutes, played with a smaller, harder ball than in traditional football.
Nico Sarmiento, the Argentina goalkeeper, said Sunday’s final is “without doubt the biggest game in futsal history” and “the dream game for the whole world” while Brazil winger Pito said “there doesn’t exist a bigger game than this. I think the futsal gods set up this game.”
But, off the pitch, the organisation of the event, plus the stadia, not least the arena that staged the final, and facilities has clearly impressed FIFA.
Jaime Yarza, Director of FIFA Tournaments, noted that, as the first FIFA tournament to be held in Central Asia, “the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan will not only be a landmark moment in futsal, but also one for this incredible region that has so much to offer both teams and fans.”
In an exclusive interview with one of FIFA’s top officials, Kasra Haghighi, head of Olympics, Futsal and Beach Soccer, I asked how Uzbekistan had fared as host.
Haghighi told me, “Our colleagues and counterparts here in Uzbekistan have been exceptional to work alongside. From our first inspection visits back in June 2023 our hosts have been a joy to work with.”
The official pointed out that this was FIFA’s first ever event in Central Asia, adding, “and we can certainly say the tournament has been an incredible success.”
“The facilities, the wonderful volunteers, the transport, the accommodation, and training courts have all been organised and delivered to an exceptional standard. So, from an operational perspective, we only have praise for our newfound friends.”
Haghighi went on, “On a personal note – from talking to our FIFA workforce staff in Uzbekistan over the past few weeks, I have heard countless stories about how friendly and accommodating the locals have been – and no request has ever been too much trouble.
“So we will leave, after Sunday’s final and third place playoff matches, with heavy hearts and a strong hope that one day we will back here again.”
Some may have questioned the credentials and suitability of a Central Asian country overseeing such a prestige sporting event so I asked how FIFA assessed the standard of the facilities, including the Humo Arena.
Haghighi replied, “An enormous amount of work is carried out before any ball is kicked at a FIFA tournament – and central to that preparation is ensuring that the halls and futsal pitches are of the standard required to host the best players and biggest teams in the world.
“At Humo Arena, we had no doubts from the very first inspection visit that this facility would meet and exceed all our needs.”
Haghighi added, “It’s an exceptional hall and fit to host futsal’s biggest fixture – the FIFA Futsal World Cup final – which it will do so on Sunday, when – for the first time – we have an all South American final between Brazil and Argentina.”
“We have seen it completely sold out already during this tournament – and the atmosphere and acoustics were spine-tingling. The hall is full again on Sunday of course, and we cannot wait for the match.”
I also asked what had to be done to hold such a tournament like this in a Central Asian nation and Haghighi answered, “At FIFA, we passionately believe our events should always travel to new countries, and in this case – to new regions, at every possible opportunity.
“It is so important to visit to every corner of the world, to inspire new generations of fans and players – and to grow the game as best we can.
“Uzbekistan is futsal-loving country with success in Asia. Not everyone was aware of this fact prior to the futsal world cup; now everyone knows.”
Haghighi commented, “FIFA’s first tournament in Central Asia has been an enormous success. We have had over 120,000 fans attend the games during the past month, and we know we will leave after the game on Sunday with thousands of new futsal fans.”
Haghighi concluded, “We thank our hosts in Uzbekistan – and especially our friends at the Uzbekistan Football Association – for helping to deliver this incredible event and set a wonderful legacy not only for their country, but their region too.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Twitter: @EU_today
@EU_sports
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EUtoday.net/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/968799359934046
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eutoday1049
Did you know that EU Today is the only media outlet in the “Brussels bubble” with a sports page?
EU Today brings you the latest news and commentary from across the EU and beyond.
