Historic tournament marks the culmination of nearly a decade of FIFA-backed development and unprecedented growth in women’s futsal.

Futsal is poised for a landmark moment as the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ kicks off in the Philippines this Friday. Running from 21 November to 7 December, the inaugural competition will determine the sport’s first women’s world champion, an achievement underpinned by what FIFA has described as more than USD 100 million invested in futsal since 2016. The information was published this week by FIFA, highlighting the governing body’s long-term commitment to the sport’s global growth.

Sixteen of the world’s top national teams, including women’s futsal ranking leaders Brazil, will gather in Pasig, Metro Manila, to compete for the debut title. Their journey represents a new chapter in a story that began in 1989 with the first FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup™ in the Netherlands and has since expanded across nine additional men’s editions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has labelled the new women’s tournament “a game-changer”, emphasising that it finally provides the world’s elite female futsal players with the global platform they deserve.

A Milestone for the Philippines and Global Women’s Futsal

The Philippines’ selection as host marks another milestone in the country’s rapid football and futsal progression, following the national women’s football team’s historic debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ 2023. According to FIFA, hosting aligns with a broader strategy to strengthen local development, infrastructure and participation.

The launch of the Futsal Women’s World Cup is also the product of FIFA’s long-term planning and funding through its Forward Programme, which has channelled substantial resources into both men’s and women’s futsal. FIFA outlined how hosting fees have formed part of this investment, citing support for Colombia 2016 (USD 12m), Lithuania 2021 (USD 15m), Uzbekistan 2024 (USD 15m), and the Philippines 2025 (USD 14m), with an additional USD 29 million allocated to futsal-related global projects by the end of 2024.

Global Growth Driven by Investment

The impact of these investments is visible in the surge of participation and competitive balance within the women’s game. FIFA reported that 79 national teams took part in qualifying for this inaugural edition, an unprecedented level of global engagement. The August FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking reflected this boom, with 12 new teams entering the standings.

Continental competition has expanded significantly as well: women’s futsal tournaments run by confederations have tripled from two in 2016 to six today, and in 2025 so far, female players have already competed in 232 official international matches.

Professionalisation and Technology Advancing the Game

FIFA also highlighted recent steps to professionalise futsal structures. In May 2024, the organization formalised an official Futsal World Ranking system for both men and women, which is now used to determine seeding in tournament draws. Additionally, FIFA’s Video Support system, a cost-effective alternative to VAR, was introduced at the Men’s Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 and further tested during youth events and at Uzbekistan 2024.

Legacy Through Infrastructure and Expertise

FIFA underlined the transformative legacies left by futsal tournaments. For example, the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ led to the construction of two new multi-purpose halls and upgrades to six training halls to meet FIFA standards. Certified wooden flooring, scoreboards, and goalposts were left behind for continued local use, while 207 local staff gained major event experience through the Local Organising Committee.

Looking ahead to the Philippines, FIFA’s published information states that the aim is to build lasting benefits through improved infrastructure, strengthened grassroots pathways, and expanded opportunities for women to participate in futsal. As the countdown to kick-off nears completion, anticipation is rising for a tournament that promises not only world-class competition but also a defining boost for the sport’s global future.

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

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