FIFA Futsal World Cup Chat with Football NSW Futsal Manager Jordan Guerreiro
With the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup set to take place on the 12th of September in Lithuania, the hype for the sport is riding high across the globe as well as in Australia.
Football NSW’s Futsal Manager Jordan Guerreiro took the time out to answer a couple of questions about the upcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup, the favourites to take it out, players to watch out for as well as the possibility of having the sport take part in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
MS: Your thoughts on the upcoming 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup kicking off in less than two weeks’ time.
JG: The FIFA Futsal World Cup is obviously the pinnacle of our game and for us especially in NSW and Australia it will be exciting to watch the event especially being affected by the Covid Delta strain forcing us into lockdown for the past 2 months. We will be able to finally see the talent on display at Lithuania.
This is a massive achievement for the host Lithuania to be hosting the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup, Lithuania took out a successful bid beating the likes of Iran, Japan, and our neighbours New Zealand. Lithuania is currently ranked 91 in the FIFA Futsal World Ranking, and now with the Olympic Games done, we can turn our attention to the Futsal World Cup.
Although Australia will not be represented due to missing out during the qualifying stages, we still have the opportunity to learn about our game and how the rest of the world promotes and watches this sport.
MS: Where can people find information on the FIFA Futsal World Cup and can they watch these matches live?
JG: I believe SBS will be televising both the semis and final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup on the 30th September – 4 October. All the other matches from the Group stages through to the Quarter Finals will be available to watch via the FIFA YouTube Channel.
You can find the match schedule and fixture list on the FIFA website or via this link.
FIFA have also released a new free app, “FIFA Futsal WC 2021 Challenge” in which anyone can download on their devices, and this will allow fans to keep up to date with the tournament.
MS: Who in your opinion are favourites to lift the FIFA Futsal World Cup and which players should we watch out for?
JG: Tough question on who will left the Cup as I believe this is one of the toughest World Cups yet.
Traditionally the likes of Brazil an Spain have been two nations that have celebrated much success at this level. But now as we have witnessed in the previous 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, we had Argentina and Russia playing off in the final where Argentina were crowned Champions – the question is can they do it again?
According to the last FIFA Futsal World Rankings, we have the above nations mentioned as the top 4 in the world and in today’s results, a lot of countries are now catching up and have been extremely competitive. It’s hard to choose but I will be supporting my heritage and go with Portugal.
Many of the Futsal National heroes have since retired from when I was growing up such as Brazil’s which has led to a new generation of players coming through and will be exciting to watch.
Players for me to watch for will be
- Ferrao (Brazil)
- Ricardinho (Portugal)
- Dyego (Brazil)
- Robinho (Russia)
- Henmi (Japan)
- Tayebi (Iran)
MS: Finally, there’s a push for Futsal to be included at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, your views on this?
JG: Within our Futsal Community there has been some discussions and comments made about how and why Futsal is yet to be included at the Olympic Games and especially wanting to strongly encourage in having Futsal featured at the 2032 Games in Brisbane.
Futsal at the Olympics as far as we are aware have been a point of discussion between FIFA and the IOC.
Futsal is currently included in the Youth Olympics with the next event in 2026.
Australia in Futsal are yet to be involved in the Youth Olympic up to this point.
Football NSW amongst other State Member Federations have been in on going conversations with Football Australia on how we can look towards driving Futsal forward through either of the Olympic events.
MS: Thanks for your time Jordan.
JG: My pleasure Mark.
