Dubai gets ready for a new edition of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup. This yearly Beach Soccer thriller will take place between 19th and 23rd of November at the Dubai International Marine Club and will bring together, once again, the best national teams in the different FIFA confederations.

Sand powerhouses such as two-times World Champions Russia, 2009 World Cup runner-ups Switzerland, all-time beach kings Brazil, Asian rulers Iran, Italy, Mexico and Morocco, together with hosts UAE, will bring the finest Beach Soccer action to Emirati soil.

The official draw, held  at the Dubai International Marine Club (Sailing Club beach front) revealed the pathway to the Intercontinental glory. The ceremony, conducted by HE Dr. Ahmed Al Sharif, General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, Joan Cuscó, vice-president of Beach Soccer Worldwide and FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member, Ali Juma Bin Ghulaita, CEO of the Dubai International Club Marine, and Alex Soriano, BSWW Head of Communications, distributed the teams into two round-robin groups. UAE, Morocco, Switzerland and Mexico were drawn into group A, whereas Russia, Brazil, Iran and Italy fell into group B. Only the best two teams of each group will advance to semifinals.

Dr Ahmed Al Sharif, General Secretary Dubai Sports Council was the first to take the floor in the ceremony, and highlighted the commitment of the Dubai Sports Council to Beach Soccer:  "We are very proud of hosting the third edition of such a prestigious competition as the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup, which has come true again thanks to the shared efforts of the Dubai Sports Council and the FIFA Beach Soccer Committee. We secure for the third year that the attention of all Beach Soccer lovers in the World will be again directed to Dubai." Recalling on the past editions, Al Sharif added that "We have witnessed very successful editions of the Samsung Beach Soccer intercontinental Cup so far, with great emotion and large crowds packing the stadium, what proves the work done so far has been excellent. and we are sure that this new edition will also be unforgettable".

After that, Joan Cuscó, vice-president of Beach Soccer Worldwide and FIFA Board Member voiced that "we are so happy to be back in Dubai for the third edition of this Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup. It is worth stressing that this tournament is the second most important tournament in the world, only below the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. All teams love to come here, and there is a huge interest in all the National Football Associations to be involved. No one wants to miss it, and we will have again the world Champions, Russia, and Brazil, undoubtedly one of the most powerful and attracting teams worldwide, here again, together with the best teams of the different confederations".

Ali Juma Bin Ghulaita, CEO of the Dubai International Marine Club assured that "We are delighted to host this big Beach Soccer competition at the Dubai International Marine for the first time, as we affirm our support to the Dubai Sports Council to jointly build the success of the event" .

In addition, Marco Vocale, Head of Corporate Marketing, Samsung Gulf Electronics said “We are pleased to be title sponsors of the FIFA Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup for the third year running. Our partnership with this important sporting event demonstrates Samsung’s commitment to the development of youth and sports in the Gulf and allows us to give a little back to the communities in which we operate. Samsung appreciates the value of sports and how they have the power to bring people from all walks of life together. We continue to get involved with Beach Soccer in this region because we believe it is a good platform to engage with young people, creating new experiences and possibilities.”

With the third edition of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup, Dubai reaffirms its position as one of the leading Beach Soccer resorts in the World. The city has hosted over the past decade a number of top-notch Beach Soccer events, including a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2009 and several World Cup Continental Qualifiers.