Mundialito to be played in Ayamonte

The Beach Soccer Mundialito will once again be played on Spanish soil, this time in the Andalucian city of Ayamonte.

Between the 13th and 15th October, the beach of Isla Canela will be the stage of this historic beach soccer tournament, that reaches this year the milestone of 25 editions.

The result of a partnership between the regional government Junta de Andalucía with the European FEDER Funds and Beach Soccer Worldwide, the Mundialito Andalucia 2023 will, like in 2022, have a men’s and women’s tournament, each contested by four teams.

Joan Cuscó, President of Beach Soccer Worldwide, stated, “We are delighted to celebrate the 25th edition of a historic tournament like the Mundialito in a country with a tradition in beach soccer, and especially in a region that is the birthplace of so much talent in our sport, as is Andalusia. The best teams from various parts of the planet will provide a wonderful spectacle in Ayamonte.”

Arturo Bernal, Tourism, Culture, and Sports Counselor of the Andalusian Regional Government, remarked that “this internationally renowned sporting event not only showcases the beauty of our coastlines but also underscores our commitment to sports and the promotion of our community on a global scale. By welcoming some of the world’s top teams, we firmly establish Andalusia in the spotlight of the international sports stage. The Andalusian Government takes pride in being a driving force behind beach soccer and hopes that this edition of the Mundialito will stand as a lasting testament to our passion for sports and Andalusian hospitality.” Furthermore, Bernal also highlighted that this event “contributes to reducing seasonality and revitalizing local businesses along the Huelva coast during the off-season, making it even more appealing.”

Alberto Fernández, Mayor of Ayamonte, stated, “In Ayamonte, our hospitality is a fundamental value, and we are delighted to open our doors and offer visitors an unforgettable experience. This event is an opportunity to showcase how actively we support sports and how Ayamonte takes center stage internationally. We hope the Mundialito will be a resounding success, and that all participants and spectators feel the warm embrace of our community and the excitement of beach soccer in Ayamonte.”

The list of participating teams will be announced soon, as some of the best national sides in the world have already confirmed their place in the competition.

The Mundialito Beach Soccer had its inaugural edition in 1994 in Copacabana, Brazil. Spain lifted both the men’s and women’s trophy of the last edition of the Mundialito, played in Gran Canaria in 2022.