GOIAS – From 2 and 10 July, the 15th World University Futsal Championship will take place in Goiás. Twenty-two futsal teams from sixteen countries are confirmed to participate, in games which will take place in the cities of Goiânia and Anapolis.
In total, twelve countries will compete in the men’s category. The defending champion, Russia, will attend, as well as Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Kazakhstan, China, France, Israel, New Zealand, Portugal, Czech Republic and Thailand. In the history of the event, in the men’s category, six countries have won the championship’s title: Brazil (4) Russia (3), Ukraine (2), Portugal (1), Spain (1) and Italy (1). Among the highlights of the men’s Brazilian national team, Fabricio Bastezini (Gadeia) who was elected in third place in the annual ranking of the world’s best futsal player.
In the women’s category, ten countries have confirmed their attendance: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Kazakhstan, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Colombia and Bolivia. The Brazilian team, defending champion, will count on pivot Amanda Lyssa, elected for the second consecutive year as the world’s best female futsal player.
Qualifying Rounds
On 1 June, the pools were defined. The draw was held at the FISU HQ in Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Men |
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Pool A |
Pool B |
Pool C |
Pool D |
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Brazil |
Russia |
Portugal |
Czech Republic |
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Kazakhstan |
China |
Thailand |
Argentina |
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Israel |
Germany |
France |
New Zealand |
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Women |
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Pool A |
Pool B |
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Brazil |
Russia |
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Canada |
Portugal |
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New Zealand |
Mexico |
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Kazakhstan |
Argentina |
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Bolivia |
Colombia |
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony will take place on 2 July at the International Arena in Anápolis (Ginásio International Newton de Faria). The dance company Quasar, internationally known, will perform. The event will be closing in Goiania, in the Goiania Arena (Ginásio Goiânia Arena), where the games will take place in the capital.
Mascot
On 28 April, the mascot of the 15th edition of the World University Futsal Championship was launched, represents maned wolf. After a popular vote, through internet, to choose the name of the mascot – Goyá, Olé or Guará – the name Goyá won, with 57% of the votes.
Organizing Committee
The 15th World University Futsal Championship is organized by FISU in collaboration with the Brazilian University Sports Confederation (CBDU) and the Goiás University Sport Federation (FGDU). The event has the backing of FIFA. The event has the support from the Government of the State of Goiás, through the State Department of Education, Culture and Sport (Seduce).
The president of the Organizing Committee, Lusimar Santos, said that the main challenge is to involve the population in the event. “We want to promote the city of Goiânia and the State of Goiás and let the World University Futsal Championship as a legacy for future generations.”
The governor of Goiás, Marconi Perillo, highlighted that the slogan “The game is yours, the city is yours, welcome to your home” represents the preparations for the event in Goias. “We will have enhanced security, world-class accommodation, quality transportation and all the affection of our people,” said the governor.
“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming FISU World University Futsal Championships to be held in Goiânia, Brazil. Indeed, FISU Futsal has a long history in Brazil, famous for its love for football and futsal”, said FISU President Oleg Matytsin. “In 1984, São Paulo hosted the 1st Men’s WUC Futsal and in 2000, João Pessoa hosted the 7th men’s edition. Another inaugural event took place in 2008, with the 1st Women’s WUC Futsal taking place in Vitória. This year, the 15th edition of the WUC Futsal is set to welcome up to 14 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams. I wish CBDU and all the organizers, athletes and spectators a fascinating event!”
Besides the three previous editions in Brazil the WUC Futsal has also been hosted in Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Serbia.
Accreditation
The press accreditation to cover the World University Futsal Championship is available on the WUC web site – http://wucfutsal2016.com/en/accreditation/. The accreditation will be available until 1 July.
(Source: WUC Futsal 2016 OC)