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 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)		 TBD April 2021
TBD April 2021
TBD April 2021
TBD April 2021
TBD April 2021
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)
 Czech Republic 4th 2012 Round of 16 (2012)
 Serbia 2nd 2012 Round of 16 (2012)

Venues

Lithuania presented three cities – Vilnius (Avia Solutions Group 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 (Avia Solutions Group 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
Avia Solutions Group 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.

On 21 September 2020, Ivartito, a stork (which is the national bird of Lithuania since 1973), was unveiled as the official mascot.[18]

Squads

Each team have to name a preliminary squad of between 12 and 18 players. From the preliminary squad, the team have to name a final squad of 12 players (two of whom must be goalkeepers) by the FIFA deadline. Players in the final squad can be replaced by a player from the preliminary squad due to serious injury or illness up to 24 hours prior to kickoff of the team's first match.[19]

Group stage

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

Tiebreakers

The rankings of teams in each group are determined as follows:[19]

  1. points obtained in all group matches;
  2. goal difference in all group matches;
  3. number of goals scored in all group matches;

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings are determined as follows:

  1. points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  2. goal difference in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  3. number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;
  4. fair play points in all group matches (only one deduction could be applied to a player in a single match):
    • Yellow card: −1 points;
    • Indirect red card (second yellow card): −3 points;
    • Direct red card: −4 points;
    • Yellow card and direct red card: −5 points;
  5. drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.

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 phase based on ranking
4 A4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 12 September 2021. Source:
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(H) Host.
Lithuania vA2
A3vA4
Lithuania vA3
A4vA2
A4v Lithuania
A2vA3

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 phase based on ranking
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: Tiebreakers
B1vB2
B3vB4
B1vB3
B4vB2
B4vB1
B2vB3

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 phase based on ranking
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: Tiebreakers
C1vC2
C3vC4
C1vC3
C4vC2
C4vC1
C2vC3

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 phase based on ranking
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: Tiebreakers
D1vD2
D3vD4
D1vD3
D4vD2
D4vD1
D2vD3

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 phase based on ranking
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: Tiebreakers
E1vE2
E3vE4
E1vE3
E4vE2
E4vE1
E2vE3

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 phase based on ranking
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: Tiebreakers
F1vF2
F3vF4
F1vF3
F4vF2
F4vF1
F2vF3

Ranking of third-placed teams
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.

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, extra time shall be played (two periods of five minutes each) and followed, if necessary, by kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner. However, for the third place match, if it is played directly before the final, no extra time shall be played and the winner shall be determined by kicks from the penalty mark.[19]

Bracket
 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
September –
 
 
Runners-up Group A
 
September –
 
Runners-up Group C
 
Winners R16 1
 
September –
 
Winners R16 2
 
Winners Group D
 
September –
 
Third place Group B/E/F
 
Winners QF 1
 
September –
 
Winners QF 2
 
Winners Group B
 
September –
 
Third place Group A/C/D
 
Winners R16 3
 
September –
 
Winners R16 4
 
Winners Group F
 
3 October – Klaipėda
 
Runners-up Group E
 
Winners SF 1
 
September –
 
Winners SF 2
 
Winners Group E
 
September –
 
Runners-up Group D
 
Winners R16 5
 
September –
 
Winners R16 6
 
Winners Group C
 
September –
 
Third place Group A/B/F
 
Winners QF 3
 
September –
 
Winners QF 4Third place match
 
Runners-up Group B
 
September – October –
 
Runners-up Group F
 
Winners R16 7Losers SF 1
 
September –
 
Winners R16 8Losers SF 2
 
Winners Group A
 
 
Third place Group C/D/E
 
Combinations of matches in the Round of 16

The specific match-ups involving the third-placed teams depend on which four third-placed teams qualified for the round of 16:[19]

Round of 16
Runners-up Group AvRunners-up Group C
Winners Group DvThird place Group B/E/F
Winners Group BvThird place Group A/C/D
Winners Group FvRunners-up Group E
Winners Group EvRunners-up Group D
Winners Group CvThird place Group A/B/F
Runners-up Group BvRunners-up Group F
Winners Group AvThird place Group C/D/E

Quarter-finals
Winners R16 1vWinners R16 2
Winners R16 3vWinners R16 4
Winners R16 5vWinners R16 6
Winners R16 7vWinners R16 8

Semi-finals
Winners QF 1vWinners QF 2
Winners QF 3vWinners QF 4

Third place match
Losers SF 1vLosers SF 2

Final
Winners SF 1vWinners SF 2

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.
  18. "Dancing stork debuts as FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ mascot". FIFA.com. 21 September 2020.
  19. "Regulations – FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021" (PDF).
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