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. 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.
The tournament was originally scheduled to be held from 12 September to 4 October 2020 as the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FIFA announced on 3 April 2020 that a decision would be made by the end of April whether the tournament would be postponed and rescheduled. On 12 May 2020, FIFA announced that the tournament will be held between 12 September – 3 October 2021, subject to further monitoring.
Argentina are the defending champions.
Host selection
The following countries bid for the tournament:The host were originally to be appointed by December 2016, then delayed to December 2017. 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. 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.Confederation | Qualifying tournament | Team | Appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance |
AFC | 2020 AFC Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
AFC | 2020 AFC Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
AFC | 2020 AFC Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
AFC | 2020 AFC Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
AFC | 2020 AFC Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
CAF | 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations | 1st | N/A | ||
CAF | 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations | 7th | 2016 | ||
CAF | 2020 Africa Futsal Cup of Nations | 3rd | 2016 | ||
CONCACAF | 2020 CONCACAF Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
CONCACAF | 2020 CONCACAF Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
CONCACAF | 2020 CONCACAF Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
CONCACAF | 2020 CONCACAF Futsal Championship | TBD | |||
CONMEBOL | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 9th | 2016 | ||
CONMEBOL | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 9th | 2016 | ||
CONMEBOL | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 7th | 2016 | ||
CONMEBOL | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 1st | N/A | ||
OFC | 2019 OFC Futsal Nations Cup | 4th | 2016 | ||
UEFA | Host nation | 1st | N/A | ||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 3rd | 2016 | ||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 6th | 2016 | ||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 7th | 2016 | ||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | 9th | 2016 | ||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | TBD | |||
UEFA | 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualification | TBD |
Venues
Lithuania presented three cities – Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda 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, Panevėžys and Alytus were named as additional candidates and are currently awaiting for a FIFA delegates inspection to determine their suitability. Further negotiations should resume in February 2019. An inspection was done on 10 May 2019 on all five potential host cities: Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys.The final decision was made on 16 October 2019, it will be staged in three cities: Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. Šiauliai and Panevėžys were left out due to accommodation hotel concerns.
Marketing
The Emblem was launched on 17 January 2020 at the MO Museum in Vilnius.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.
Squads
Group stage
The top two teams of each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.All times are local, EEST.
Group A
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Group B
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Group C
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Group D
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Group E
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Group F
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Ranking of third-placed teams
The four best third-placed teams from the six groups advance to the knockout stage along with the six group winners and six runners-up.In the next stage the four third-placed teams will be matched with the winners of groups A, B, C, and D according to the tournament regulations.
Knockout stage
Bracket
Round of 16
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Quarter-finals
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