logo
Canada qualifies for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup with penalty shootout win

Canada qualifies for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup with penalty shootout win

GUATEMALA CITY – Canada booked its ticket to the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout Saturday to reach the final of CONCACAF W Futsal Championship.
The two finalists at the eight-team CONCACAF tournament will represent the region at the 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup, slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in the Philippines.
Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly.
The semifinal at the Domo Polideportivo went to the shootout after finishing tied 4-4 following two five-minute periods of extra time.
Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half. Trailing 4-3, Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal by Rubi Gomez with its net empty
Joëlle Gosselin, Esther Brossard, Jade Houmphanh and Cynthia Gaspar-Freire scored for Canada in the shootout. Stephie-Ann Dadaille had her shot saved.
Goalkeeper Léa Palacio-Tellier stopped shots by Evelyn Gonzalez and Gomez before Gaspar-Freire roofed her penalty for a 4-3 Canada win.
Sunday's final will see Canada face Panama, which downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal.
The Canadians moved into the semifinals after beating the U.S. 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B.
Mexico won Group A with three straight wins and a tournament-high 13 goals. Canada, meanwhile, tied for the tournament's stingiest defence with just four goals allowed in pool play.
The Canadians are coached by Alexandre Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side.
Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women's Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs 'public neglect towards women futsal players.'
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice.
Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan.
That 1989 futsal team included Paul Dolan, Pat Harrington, Nick De Santis, Eddy Berdusco, Lyndon Hooper and Alex Bunbury. Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico.
There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. The Canadians' best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2025.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Canadian soccer women slip 1 spot to 8th in world rankings despite 3-1 stretch
Canadian soccer women slip 1 spot to 8th in world rankings despite 3-1 stretch

CBC

time2 hours ago

  • CBC

Canadian soccer women slip 1 spot to 8th in world rankings despite 3-1 stretch

The Canadian women dropped one spot to No. 8 in the FIFA world rankings released Thursday. Casey Stoney's side won three of four games since the last rankings in March, defeating Haiti twice and splitting a two-game series with Argentina. The Canadian women finished 2024 at sixth in the rankings, sliding to seventh in March. Canada has ranked as high as fourth, last achieved in March 2018. The U.S. remains No. 1, followed by Spain and Germany. Brazil is the big mover, jumping four places to No. 4 while dropping England one place to No. 5. Spain and Germany both won all their games since the last rankings, narrowing the gap with the U.S., which lost 2-1 to Brazil in April on a stoppage-time goal by Amanda Gutierres. Brazil, beaten by the U.S. in the Paris Olympics final, had not defeated the Americans since December 2014. Sweden remains sixth with Japan, beaten twice by Brazil, slipping two spots to seventh. Canada, North Korea and France, which fell one rung, complete the top 10. The Netherlands slipped out of the top 10, falling one spot to No. 11. WATCH | Holly Ward, Evelyne Viens lead Canadian sweep over Haiti: A pair of goals by Viens leads Canada to another win over Haiti 9 days ago Duration 3:08 There have been 168 women's internationals played since the March 6 rankings. Elsewhere, Colombia jumped three spots to No. 18, cracking the top 20 for the first time. Paraguay rose one place to No. 45, while Venezuela climbed three to No. 48 after a 3-1 win at New Zealand, which dropped one place to No. 33. Despite the losses to Canada, Haiti climbed three places to No. 50 while fellow CONCACAF side Puerto Rico was up two places to No. 79. The biggest climbers were No. 93 Egypt (up seven places), No. 111 Luxembourg (up six) and No. 128 Bangladesh (up five). The United Arab Emirates and Cyprus both fell five places to No. 117 and No. 132, respectively.

Canadian women fall one spot to No. 8 in FIFA rankings while Brazil climbs to fourth
Canadian women fall one spot to No. 8 in FIFA rankings while Brazil climbs to fourth

Winnipeg Free Press

time3 hours ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Canadian women fall one spot to No. 8 in FIFA rankings while Brazil climbs to fourth

The Canadian women dropped one spot to No. 8 in the FIFA world rankings released Thursday. Casey Stoney's side won three of four games since the last rankings in March, defeating Haiti twice and splitting a two-game series with Argentina. The Canadian women finished 2024 at sixth in the rankings, sliding to seventh in March. Canada has ranked as high as fourth, last achieved in March 2018. The U.S. remains No. 1, followed by Spain and Germany. Brazil was the big mover, jumping four places to No. 4 while dropping England one place to No. 5. Spain and Germany both won all their games since the last rankings, narrowing the gap with the U.S., which lost 2-1 to Brazil in April on a stoppage-time goal by Amanda Gutierres. Brazil, beaten by the U.S. in the Paris Olympics final, had not defeated the Americans since December 2014. Sweden remains sixth with Japan, beaten twice by Brazil, slipping two spots to seventh. Canada, North Korea and France, which fell one rung, complete the top 10. The Netherlands slipped out of the top 10, falling one spot to No. 11. There have been 168 women's internationals played since the March 6 rankings. Elsewhere, Colombia jumped three spots to No. 18, cracking the top 20 for the first time. Paraguay rose one place to No. 45, while Venezuela climbed three to No. 48 after a 3-1 win at New Zealand, which dropped one place to No. 33. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Despite the losses to Canada, Haiti climbed three places to No. 50 while fellow CONCACAF side Puerto Rico was up two places to No. 79. The biggest climbers were No. 93 Egypt (up seven places), No. 111 Luxembourg (up six) and No. 128 Bangladesh (up five). The United Arab Emirates and Cyprus both fell five places to No. 117 and No. 132, respectively. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025

How much will the World Cup cost Vancouver? We still don't know, one year out
How much will the World Cup cost Vancouver? We still don't know, one year out

The Province

time4 hours ago

  • The Province

How much will the World Cup cost Vancouver? We still don't know, one year out

City and provincial officials promise the numbers are coming, but you'll just have to wait Dignitaries including FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani, far left, and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, far right, unveil a clock at Terry Fox Plaza in front of BC Place stadium in Vancouver that is counting down to the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup in the city. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The countdown is on for both the World Cup, and the release of the final financial projections of just how much it will cost. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Wednesday afternoon at Terry Fox Plaza outside of B.C. Place, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani and a host of other dignitaries took part in the unveiling of a giant digital clock that is ticking down to the start of the 2026 World Cup. An energetic, upbeat event where local youth teams playing a seven-a-side game — while being coached by Canada soccer veterans Tosaint Ricketts and Christine Sinclair — set what the organizers hoped was an energetic and positive tone. But the clock is also ticking on the region's patience to find out just how much taxpayers will be paying to host the massive sporting event, one that is on par with the Olympic Games in terms of global reach and prestige. Sim called it the 'equivalent of 30 to 40 Super Bowls.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The cost of the event has doubled from the initial numbers; the last report had the price tag for the province between $483 million and $581 million, with the City of Vancouver expected to pay at least $230 million. 'We'll have a full costing of where we're at in terms of cost, in terms of revenue, closer to the end of June, and we'll share it publicly at that point. We're just finishing up a couple of the accounting things,' said Spencer Chandra Herbert, B.C.'s minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. Local youth teams playing a seven-a-side game at the ceremony held at Terry Fox Plaza at B.C. Place on Wednesday. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Toronto has been more forthcoming with their numbers, saying it will fall $40M short in its already ballooning $380M budget for their portion of the event. Vancouver has yet to address the updated financials publicly. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Look, we're bound by confidentiality agreements,' said Sim. 'That's just part of the process. What I can tell you is, we've had great lenses on it. This is actually a great event where the city, the residents of the City of Vancouver and the region and the province and the country will benefit. 'Let's put this in perspective. There are cities around the planet that would absolutely love this opportunity. We have this opportunity in the City of Vancouver. We're making sure it's held from a fiscally responsible perspective. And we're super excited to have this opportunity.' Vancouver will host seven games of the 2026 World Cup at B.C. Place, with Toronto getting six. Canada will play two games in Vancouver, and should Les Rouges advance out of their round robin group, would potentially play in the two knockout round games at B.C. Place. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver mayor Ken Sim (right) at the countdown clock Photo by Jason Payne / PNG The event has some massive logistical challenges to overcome. With more than 350,000 fans projected to come — maybe more, should the travel issues facing soccer fans who might decline to risk travel to the U.S. continue — there is a distinct lack of rooming space for them. The bridges into the downtown core are already a bottleneck, and with heightened security protocols in place, it will be an immense task to handle efficiently. 'We're working with our hotel partners across the province. We think there's opportunity for people to stay further afield. We know Hullo and the B.C. Ferries. We're looking at them as an opportunity for overflow, even all the way to Nanaimo, (and) of course, out in the (Fraser) Valley,' said Chandra Herbert, adding he expects locals to also rent out their homes as a way to make some extra money. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a good problem to have a whole bunch of people want to come and be with us in B.C., and we can't wait to welcome them.' 'We'll definitely work with local businesses as part of the planning process to make sure that we host a pretty successful game. We've done it in the past with the Olympics, and we'll do it again with FIFA World Cup 2026,' he added, referring to what will be a huge swath of road closures. The crowd watches the ceremony at Terry Fox Plaza at B.C. Place on Wednesday Photo by Jason Payne / PNG Sim addressed the security issue, which has come to the forefront in the wake of the Lapu Lapu Day festival tragedy. 'I have all the confidence in the world in the VPD and our security infrastructure. We've been working on it for quite a while,' he said, adding the process began in the bid process. 'I was actually in Boston (in April), touring with Boston PD and their infrastructure. Local, state and federal agencies, to see how they handle the Boston Marathon. So these are things that we've been working on. If anything, we've augmented our planning, and we are going to carry off a … very safe FIFA World Cup.' Read More

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store