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, Football Union of Russia*, Serbia and Spain.

*Football Union of Russia, being the member association of the Russian Federation. In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and a December 2020 decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, this team will participate in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 as neutral athletes of its national sports federation.

Venues

• Kaunas Arena
• Vilnius Arena
• Klaipėda Arena

Schedule

Group stage: 12–20 September
Round of 16: 22–24 September
Quarter-finals: 26–27 September
Semi-finals: 29–30 September
Final/third-place match: 3 Ocrober

Groups

Group A: Lithuania (hosts, debut), Venezuela (debut), Kazakhstan, Costa Rica

Group B: Uzbekistan, Guatemala, Football Union of Russia, Egypt

Group C: Thailand, Portugal, Morocco, Solomon Islands

Group D: Panama, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Brazil

Group E: Angola (debut), Japan, Paraguay, Spain

Group F: Argentina (holders), United States, Serbia, Iran

The top two in each group and the four best third-place teams will advance to the knockout phase.

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)

FOOTBALL UNION OF 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)