2024 Beach Soccer World Cup: Schedule, Results, Start Time, and TV Channel
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is set to kick off in Dubai, bringing together sixteen of the best teams in the world to compete for the ultimate prize in the sport. This year’s tournament marks the second time that Dubai has hosted the event, the first being in 2009.
Russia, the current title holders, won the competition on home soil in 2021 by defeating Japan 5-2 in the final. However, due to a ban on all Russian teams competing in FIFA competitions, they will not be able to defend their crown this year.
There are several strong teams participating in this edition of the tournament, with European champions Italy being the favorites to win. Italy boasts the recent FIFA Best Men’s Goalkeeper award winner, Leandro Casapieri, in their team. Brazil and Portugal, the top-ranked sides in the world, are also expected to pose a strong challenge.
The Spanish team, ranked fourth globally, secured their place in the tournament after Ukraine withdrew in protest at Belarus, a Russian ally, being allowed to compete. Spain will be looking to make a mark and prove their worth on the beach soccer stage.
So, what are the rules of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup? The sport is played with five players on each team, and seven substitutes can be named for every match with unlimited substitutions allowed. A typical beach soccer match lasts for 36 minutes in total, divided into three 12-minute periods. Three-minute breaks are given after each period, with the game clock paused for injuries, fouls, or goals scored. There is no offside rule in beach soccer, and players are not allowed to score directly from kick-offs. Additionally, players can choose to take throw-ins or kick-ins with either their hands or feet.
The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will commence on Thursday, February 15, and the final will take place on Sunday, February 25. All matches will be held at the Dubai Design District Stadium, providing a perfect backdrop for the thrilling beach soccer action.
For those wondering how to catch the tournament on TV, unfortunately, it will not be available on UK television. However, every game will be live-streamed for free on the FIFA+ website, which can be accessed in the UK. US viewers, on the other hand, can watch the tournament on the FOX Sports network.
As for the schedule of matches, here are the fixtures for the group stage of the tournament:
Thursday, February 15:
– United States 1-3 Italy
– United Arab Emirates 2-1 Egypt
– Tahiti 4-3 Argentina
– Spain 6-6 Iran (Iran won 3-1 on penalties)
Friday, February 16:
– Colombia vs Japan
– Senegal vs Belarus
– Portugal vs Mexico
– Brazil vs Oman
Saturday, February 17:
– Italy vs Egypt
– United Arab Emirates vs United States
– Spain vs Tahiti
– Argentina vs Iran
Sunday, February 18:
– Japan vs Belarus
– Senegal vs Colombia
– Mexico vs Oman
– Brazil vs Portugal
Monday, February 19:
– Argentina vs Spain
– Iran vs Tahiti
– Egypt vs United States
– Italy vs United Arab Emirates
Tuesday, February 20:
– Belarus vs Colombia
– Japan vs Senegal
– Oman vs Portugal
– Mexico vs Brazil
The quarter-finals will take place on Thursday, February 22, followed by the semi-finals on Saturday, February 24. The tournament will culminate with the third-place match and the final on Sunday, February 25.
With a thrilling lineup of teams and exciting matches ahead, the 2024 Beach Soccer World Cup promises to deliver an unforgettable spectacle. So, mark your calendars and get ready to witness the world’s best beach soccer players showcase their skills in Dubai.