MIAMI, Florida – This Sunday, the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Lithuania kicks off with four teams from the Concacaf region looking to make some history and become the first Concacaf nation to win the Futsal World Cup.
The United States, Guatemala, Panama and Costa Rica will represent the region in the tournament, which will conclude on October 3.
2021 Concacaf Futsal Championship winners Costa Rica begin their journey on Sunday in Group A against Kazakhstan, followed by contests with Venezuela and host nation Lithuania, with all matches taking place at the Zilgiris Arena in Kaunas.
For Costa Rica, it is their fifth appearance in a Futsal World Cup and led by 2021 CFC Best Player Award winner Milinton Tijerino and Best GK Award winner Cesar Vargas, the Ticos will be looking to improve on their best ever finish when they reached the Round of 16 in the 2016 edition.
After a third-place finish at the CFC, Guatemala have landed in Group B where they will square off against Uzbekistan, RFU (Russian Football Union) and Egypt.
The Chapines are appearing in their fifth Futsal World Cup as well and will be seeking a first ever qualification for the knockout round after four previous group stage finishes.
Guatemala will open with Uzbekistan on Sunday, followed by the RFU, with both matches being played at the Avia Solutions Group Arena in Vilnius, before closing with Egypt at the Zilgirin Arena.
Panama’s third Futsal World Cup will start in Group D on Monday, September 13 against the Czech Republic, followed be encounters with Vietnam and Brazil, with all matches played at the Svyturys Arena in Klaipeda.
Bolstered by 2021 CFC Top Scorer Carlos Perez (8 goals), the Canaleros will fancy their chances of improving upon their best ever finish of the Round of 16 in the 2012 tournament.
Rounding out the Concacaf participants at the Futsal World Cup is the United States, who will be in action in Group F against Argentina, Serbia and Iran.
Runners up in the 1992 edition, the U.S. are playing in their sixth Futsal World Cup and will open on Tuesday, September 14 against reigning world champions Argentina at the Avia Solutions Group Arena.
With 2021 CFC Best Young Player Tomas Pondeca in tow, the U.S. will be keen for their first knockout round appearance since the 2004 edition.
