2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup: Lithuania

Lithuania will stage the ninth FIFA Futsal World Cup, with the new dates 12 September to 3 October 2021 after postponement from 2020. The hosts will be among 24 finalists, including six other European qualifiers: the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Spain.

Venues

• Kaunas Arena
• Vilnius Arena
• Klaipėda Arena

Qualifiers

AFC: 5 tbc
CAF: Angola, Egypt, Morocco
CONCACAF: 4 tbc
CONMEBOL: Argentina (holders), Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela (debut)
OFC: Solomon Islands
UEFA: Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Lithuania (hosts, debut), Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain

Spain won their second title in 2004AFP via Getty Images

Meet the European contenders

CZECH REPUBLIC

How they qualified: Main round Group 8 runners-up, Elite round Group D runners-up, Play-off vs Croatia D2-2agg aet W6-5pens
Previous World Cup appearances: 3
World Cup best: second group stage (2004)
Futsal EURO best: third place (2003, 2010)

KAZAKHSTAN

How they qualified: Main round Group 5 winners, Elite round Group D winners
Previous World Cup appearances: 2
World Cup best: round of 16 (2016)
Futsal EURO best: third place (2016)

LITHUANIA

How they qualified: hosts
Previous World Cup appearances: 0
Futsal EURO best: never qualified

European champions Portugal celebrate qualifyingAndré Sanano/FPF

PORTUGAL

How they qualified: Main round Group 8 winners, Elite round Group A winners
Previous World Cup appearances: 5
World Cup best: third place (2000)
Futsal EURO best: winners (2018)

RUSSIA

How they qualified: Main round Group 7 winners, Elite round Group C winners
Previous World Cup appearances: 6
World Cup best: runners-up (2016)
Futsal EURO best: winners (2001)

SERBIA

How they qualified: Main round Group 6 winners, Elite round Group B runners-up, Play-off vs Finland W6-5agg
Previous World Cup appearances: 1
World Cup best: round of 16 (2012)
Futsal EURO best: fourth place (2016)

SPAIN

How they qualified: Main round Group 1 winners, Elite round Group B winners
Previous World Cup appearances: 8 (maximum)
World Cup best: winners (2000, 2004)
Futsal EURO best: winners (1996, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2016)

World Cup roll of honour

2016: Argentina 5-4 Russia (Colombia)
2012: Brazil 3-2 aet Spain (Thailand)
2008: Brazil 2-2, 4-3 pens Spain (Brazil)
2004: Spain 2-1 Italy (Chinese Taipei)
2000: Spain 4-3 Brazil (Guatemala)
1996: Brazil 6-4 Spain (Spain)
1992: Brazil 4-1 United States (Hong Kong)
1989: Brazil 2-1 Netherlands (Netherlands)