2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
Campeonato do Mundo de Futebol de Praia 2015
Tournament details
Host country  Portugal
City Espinho
Dates 9–19 July
Teams 16 (from 6 confederations)
Venue(s) 1 (in 1 host city)

The 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will be the eighth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, an international beach soccer competition contested by men's national teams, which has been organized by FIFA since 2005. Overall, it will be the 18th edition since its establishment in 1995 as the Beach Soccer World Championships, and the third consecutive tournament to take place under the new biennial system, after being held annually between 1995 and 2009.

On 28 May 2013, the FIFA Executive Committee appointed Portugal as hosts.[1] The tournament will take place from 9 to 19 July 2015 at Praia da Baía in Espinho,[2] with the final draw scheduled for 28 April 2015 at the Espinho Multimedia Auditorium.[3]

Host selection

Twelve member associations from five continents officially announced their interest in hosting the 2015 Beach Soccer World Cup by the deadline of 14 September 2012.[4][5] On 28 May 2013, the FIFA Executive Committee, gathered in Mauritius, announced that the tournament would be held in Portugal.[6][7]

Candidate associations

Qualification

Qualifying rounds took place in 2014 and 2015. Portugal qualified automatically as hosts.

Qualified teams

The following 16 teams qualified for the final tournament.

Confederation Qualifying Tournament Qualifier(s)
AFC (Asia) 2015 AFC Beach Soccer Championship  Iran
 Japan
 Oman
CAF (Africa) 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship  Madagascar1
 Senegal
CONCACAF (North, Central America & Caribbean) 2015 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship  Costa Rica
 Mexico
CONMEBOL (South America) 2015 CONMEBOL Beach Soccer Championship  Argentina
 Brazil
 Paraguay
OFC (Oceania) Appointed by OFC (qualifying tournament cancelled)[8]  Tahiti
UEFA (Europe) 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification (UEFA)  Italy
 Russia
 Spain
  Switzerland
Host nation  Portugal
1.^ Teams that will make their debut.

African Zone

The CAF Beach Soccer Championship took place in Roche Caiman, Seychelles on 14–19 April 2015.[9] A total of eight teams took part in the tournament, where seven spots (other than host nation Seychelles) were determined through qualifiers held in February and March 2015.[10][11] The top two teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Senegal and Madagascar won their respective semi-finals on 18 April 2015 to qualify for the World Cup,[12] with Madagascar defeating Senegal in the final on the next day to win the tournament.[13]

Asian Zone

The AFC Beach Soccer Championship took place in Doha, Qatar on 23–28 March 2015.[14] A total of 14 teams took part in the tournament (Palestine entered but withdrew).[15] The top three teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Oman and Japan won their respective semi-finals on 27 March 2015 to qualify for the World Cup.[16] On the next day, Iran won the third place match to also book a place in the World Cup,[17] while Oman defeated Japan in the final to win the tournament.[18]

European Zone

The UEFA qualifiers took place in Jesolo, Italy on 5–14 September 2014.[19] A total of 23 teams took part in the tournament (Georgia entered but withdrew).[20] The top four teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Switzerland became the first team (other than host nation Portugal) to qualify for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on 11 September 2014.[21] On the next day, Russia, Spain and Italy also booked a place in the World Cup by advancing to the semi-finals,[22] with Russia defeating Switzerland in the final two days later to win the tournament, and Italy defeating Spain to finish third.[23]

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone

The CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship took place in Costa del Sol, El Salvador on 28 March–4 April 2015.[24] A total of 16 teams took part in the tournament.[25] The top two teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Mexico and Costa Rica won their respective semi-finals on 3 April 2015 to qualify for the World Cup,[26] with Mexico defeating Costa Rica in the final on the next day to win the tournament.[27]

Oceanian Zone

The OFC Beach Soccer Championship was scheduled to take place in Tahiti on 16–22 February 2015.[28] However, the tournament was cancelled, and Tahiti were designated by the OFC as their representative.[8]

South American Zone

The CONMEBOL Beach Soccer Championship took place in Manta, Ecuador on 19–26 April 2015.[29] A total of 10 teams took part in the tournament.[30][31] The top three teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Brazil and Paraguay won their respective semi-finals on 25 April 2015 to qualify for the World Cup.[32] On the next day, Argentina won the third place match to also book a place in the World Cup,[33] while Brazil defeated Paraguay in the final to win the tournament.[34]

Squads

Each team must name a squad of 12 players (two of whom must be goalkeepers) by the FIFA deadline.[35]

Draw

The final draw was held on 28 April 2015 at 12:25 local time (UTC+1) at the Espinho Multimedia Auditorium.[36][37] The 16 teams were drawn into four groups of four teams. The hosts Portugal were the seeded team in Group A, while the defending champions Russia were the seeded team in Group D. Switzerland and Brazil, the second and third-ranked teams in the World Rankings, were the other two seeded teams. Teams from the same confederation could not be drawn against each other at the group stage, except that one of the groups must contain two UEFA teams as there were five UEFA teams.[38]

Pot 1 (Seeds) Pot 2 (AFC & OFC) Pot 3 (CAF & CONCACAF) Pot 4 (CONMEBOL & UEFA)
 Portugal (assigned to A1)
 Russia (assigned to D1)
 Brazil
  Switzerland		  Iran
 Japan
 Oman
 Tahiti		  Madagascar
 Senegal
 Costa Rica
 Mexico		  Argentina
 Paraguay
 Italy
 Spain

Group stage

Each team earns three points for a win in regulation time, two points for a win in extra time, one point for a win in a penalty shoot-out, and no points for a defeat.

Legend
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals

All times are local, Western European Summer Time (UTC+1).[39]

Group A

Pos Team Pld W WE WP L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Portugal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2  Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Argentina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4  Senegal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 9 July 2015. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points obtained in head-to-head matches; 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches; 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches; 5) Total goal difference; 6) Total goals scored; 7) Drawing of lots.[35]

9 July 2015
14:30
Portugal  Match 2  Japan
Praia da Baía, Espinho

9 July 2015
16:00
Argentina  Match 3  Senegal
Praia da Baía, Espinho

11 July 2015
14:30
Senegal  Match 10  Portugal
Praia da Baía, Espinho

11 July 2015
16:00
Japan  Match 11  Argentina
Praia da Baía, Espinho

13 July 2015
14:30
Portugal  Match 18  Argentina
Praia da Baía, Espinho

13 July 2015
16:00
Japan  Match 19  Senegal
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Group B

Pos Team Pld W WE WP L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Switzerland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2  Oman 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Italy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4  Costa Rica 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 9 July 2015. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points obtained in head-to-head matches; 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches; 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches; 5) Total goal difference; 6) Total goals scored; 7) Drawing of lots.[35]

9 July 2015
13:00
Italy  Match 1  Costa Rica
Praia da Baía, Espinho

9 July 2015
17:30
Switzerland   Match 4  Oman
Praia da Baía, Espinho

11 July 2015
13:00
Oman  Match 9  Italy
Praia da Baía, Espinho

11 July 2015
17:30
Costa Rica  Match 12   Switzerland
Praia da Baía, Espinho

13 July 2015
13:00
Oman  Match 17  Costa Rica
Praia da Baía, Espinho

13 July 2015
17:30
Switzerland   Match 20  Italy
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Group C

Pos Team Pld W WE WP L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Brazil 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2  Mexico 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Spain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4  Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 10 July 2015. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points obtained in head-to-head matches; 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches; 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches; 5) Total goal difference; 6) Total goals scored; 7) Drawing of lots.[35]

10 July 2015
13:00
Spain  Match 5  Iran
Praia da Baía, Espinho

10 July 2015
17:30
Brazil  Match 8  Mexico
Praia da Baía, Espinho

12 July 2015
13:00
Mexico  Match 13  Spain
Praia da Baía, Espinho

12 July 2015
17:30
Iran  Match 16  Brazil
Praia da Baía, Espinho

14 July 2015
13:00
Mexico  Match 21  Iran
Praia da Baía, Espinho

14 July 2015
17:30
Brazil  Match 24  Spain
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Group D

Pos Team Pld W WE WP L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Russia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Knockout stage
2  Paraguay 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Tahiti 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4  Madagascar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
First match(es) will be played on 10 July 2015. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points obtained in head-to-head matches; 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches; 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches; 5) Total goal difference; 6) Total goals scored; 7) Drawing of lots.[35]

10 July 2015
14:30
Russia  Match 6  Paraguay
Praia da Baía, Espinho

10 July 2015
16:00
Tahiti  Match 7  Madagascar
Praia da Baía, Espinho

12 July 2015
14:30
Madagascar  Match 14  Russia
Praia da Baía, Espinho

12 July 2015
16:00
Paraguay  Match 15  Tahiti
Praia da Baía, Espinho

14 July 2015
14:30
Russia  Match 22  Tahiti
Praia da Baía, Espinho

14 July 2015
16:00
Paraguay  Match 23  Madagascar
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Knockout stage

Bracket

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
16 July
 
 
Winner Group B
 
18 July
 
Runner-up Group A
 
Winner Match 27
 
16 July
 
Winner Match 28
 
Winner Group D
 
19 July
 
Runner-up Group C
 
Winner Match 29
 
16 July
 
Winner Match 30
 
Winner Group A
 
18 July
 
Runner-up Group B
 
Winner Match 26
 
16 July
 
Winner Match 25Third Place
 
Winner Group C
 
19 July
 
Runner-up Group D
 
Loser Match 29
 
 
Loser Match 30
 

Quarter-finals

16 July 2015
14:00
Winner Group C Match 25 Runner-up Group D
Praia da Baía, Espinho

16 July 2015
15:30
Winner Group A Match 26 Runner-up Group B
Praia da Baía, Espinho

16 July 2015
17:00
Winner Group B Match 27 Runner-up Group A
Praia da Baía, Espinho

16 July 2015
18:30
Winner Group D Match 28 Runner-up Group C
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Semi-finals

18 July 2015
17:00
Winner Match 27 Match 29 Winner Match 28
Praia da Baía, Espinho

18 July 2015
18:30
Winner Match 26 Match 30 Winner Match 25
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Third place match

19 July 2015
17:00
Loser Match 29 Match 31 Loser Match 30
Praia da Baía, Espinho

Final

19 July 2015
18:30
Winner Match 29 Match 32 Winner Match 30
Praia da Baía, Espinho

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA Executive Committee fully backs resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination". FIFA. 28 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Fut. Praia: Datas do Mundial confirmadas" (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "Espinho presents XIX Mundialito Futebol de Praia... and announces FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015!". Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW). 23 July 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "12 Member Associations bid for 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). 19 October 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  5. ↑ "Bidding for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 and FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016" (PDF). FIFA.com. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  6. ↑ "FIFA Executive Committee fully backs resolution on the fight against racism and discrimination". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 28 May 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Portugal to host the 2015 World Cup!". Beachsoccer.com. Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW). 30 May 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Road to Portugal – Oceania". FIFA.com.
  9. ↑ "Seychelles gearing up for CAF’s African Beach Soccer Championship 2015". Seychelles News Agency. August 23, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Septet emerge for African Beach Soccer Championship". CAF. 30 March 2015.
  11. ↑ "Hosts Seychelles handed tough draw". CAF. 5 April 2015.
  12. ↑ "Senegal, Madagascar book Portugal 2015 tickets". FIFA.com. 18 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "Unlikely Islanders crash African beach party". FIFA.com. 20 April 2015.
  14. ↑ "AFC Calendar of Competitions 2015" (PDF). AFC.
  15. ↑ "Groups drawn for AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2015". the-AFC.com. February 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Oman, Japan bound for the beach". FIFA.com. 27 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Iran book their ticket to Portugal". FIFA.com. 28 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "Oman crowned Asia’s sand kings". FIFA.com. 30 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "Important World Cup Qualifier meeting held in Jesolo". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 28 May 2014.
  20. ↑ "European qualifier draw is finalised". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 18 July 2014.
  21. ↑ "Swiss become first Portugal 2015 qualifiers". FIFA.com. 11 September 2014.
  22. ↑ "Russia, Spain and Italy reach Portugal 2015". FIFA.com. 12 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "No surprises on the sand in Europe". FIFA.com. 16 September 2014.
  24. ↑ "CONCACAF Reveals Logo, Sets Official Draw for Beach Soccer Championship El Salvador 2015". CONCACAF.com. January 20, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Official Draw: CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship El Salvador 2015". CONCACAF.com. January 27, 2015.
  26. ↑ "Mexico & Costa Rica are Portugal-bound". FIFA.com. 4 April 2015.
  27. ↑ "Mexico seize Espinho berth, gritty Costa Rica join them". FIFA.com. 7 April 2015.
  28. ↑ "OFC Executive Committee decisions". Oceania Football Confederation. April 23, 2014.
  29. ↑ "CONMEBOL.com @ Twitter". CONMEBOL. 10 March 2015.
  30. ↑ "CONMEBOL.com @ Twitter". CONMEBOL. 10 March 2015.
  31. ↑ "Fútbol playa: fueron sorteados los grupos para el sudamericano de Manta (Ecuador) 2015" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL.com. 27 March 2015.
  32. ↑ "Brazil & Paraguay heading to Portugal". FIFA.com. 25 April 2015.
  33. ↑ "Argentina collect final ticket to Portugal 2015". FIFA.com. 26 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "Same faces, different order". FIFA.com. 28 April 2015.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 "Regulations – FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015" (PDF). FIFA.com.
  36. ↑ "Live coverage of the Portugal 2015 draw". FIFA.com. 27 April 2015.
  37. ↑ "Portugal & Japan in opener, Brazil face Mexico". FIFA.com. 28 April 2015.
  38. ↑ "Former stars set for Portugal 2015 draw". FIFA.com. 27 April 2015.
  39. ↑ "FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 - Match Schedule" (PDF). FIFA.com.

External links