Goalkeeper Lea Palacio and forward Esther Brossard have been selected to lead the Canadian team at the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines. The competition, scheduled from November 21 to December 7 in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila, will see Canada competing in Group B alongside Spain, Thailand, and Colombia.
Spain, the reigning champions of the UEFA Women’s Futsal Championship, poses a tough challenge for Canada, along with Thailand and Colombia, who have achieved notable finishes in recent regional competitions. Canada, however, gained attention by clinching victory in the CONCACAF W Futsal Championship earlier this year in Guatemala.
The Canadian team secured their spot in the World Cup by defeating Mexico in a tense penalty shootout during the qualifiers in Guatemala City. They then went on to defeat Panama 8-2 in the championship match. Head coach Alexandre Da Rocha expressed pride in the team’s qualification process and aims to maintain that momentum in the upcoming tournament.
Futsal is a fast-paced indoor game played with five players on each team per side, and Canada’s 14-player World Cup squad includes key players like Palacio and Brossard, who excelled in the CONCACAF Championship. New additions to the roster are defender Katerine Delev and forward Magali Gagne.
The Canadian team will depart for the Philippines next week for a pre-tournament camp before their first match against Colombia on November 22. They will also face Thailand on November 25 and Spain on November 28. To prepare for the tournament, Canada will engage in warmup matches against Poland, the Philippines, and Argentina.
The tournament format includes four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. Female futsal players have advocated for greater recognition in the sport, and the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup marks a significant milestone in their campaign for equality.
Canada has a rich history in futsal, having participated in various championships over the years. The inaugural FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup was held in 1989, and defending champions Brazil have dominated the tournament. Canada’s men’s futsal team made its debut in the 1989 edition but has since struggled to advance past the initial rounds in subsequent tournaments.
The CONCACAF Men’s Futsal Championship has seen Canada make strides, with their best performances in 2021 and 2024 reaching the quarterfinals. The Canadian roster for the upcoming Women’s World Cup showcases a mix of experienced players and promising talents from across the country, highlighting the depth and diversity of futsal in Canada.