Friday, October 18, 2024
Finland and Italy are the first teams through to join Portugal and Spain in the elite round of European qualifiers for the new FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
The first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup will be played in 2025 in the Philippines, and European qualifying has begun with the main round, which ends on Saturday.
Finland were the first team through to join seeds Portugal and Spain in March’s elite round after wins against England and Slovenia. Finland’s progress was sealed on Thursday when England, in only their second women’s futsal international, defeated Moldova.
Italy progressed on Friday after winning all of their three games without conceded a goal in Group 1, the first to start. The other four elite round slots will be decided on Saturday.
Another of the three teams making their competitive debut, France, won 3-1 against UEFA Women’s Futsal EURO 2023 runners-up Ukraine in their first game on Wednesday and a day later scored two late goals to hold Czechia 2-2.
EURO 2022 and 2023 semi-finalists Hungary had to come back from two down to beat England and France’s fellow newcomer, Norway, 3-2. However, Norway themselves registered a first win in their second game, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-2.
The elite round, drawn on 31 October and running from 18 to 23 March, will consist of two groups of four. The top two in each elite round group will qualify for the finals in the Philippines between 21 November and 7 December 2025.
Group 1 (complete)
Through to elite round: Italy
Also in group: Croatia, Serbia (hosts), Lithuania
Group 2 (ends Saturday): Hungary, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus
Group 3 (ends Saturday): Czechia (hosts), France, Ukraine, Northern Ireland
Group 4 (ends Saturday)
Through to elite round: Finland
Also in group: England, Slovenia, Moldova (hosts)
Group 5 (ends Saturday): Sweden (hosts), Slovakia, Belgium, Latvia
Group 6 (ends Saturday): Poland, Netherlands, Kazakhstan (hosts)
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
© 1998-2024 UEFA. All rights reserved.
The UEFA word, the UEFA logo and all marks related to UEFA competitions, are protected by trademarks and/or copyright of UEFA. No use for commercial purposes may be made of such trademarks. Use of UEFA.com signifies your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
