STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
The stage is set for the ninth edition of the showpiece spectacle in the Bahamas!
After five continental qualifiers and months of preparation, 16 teams will begin the battle to be crowned FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 winners on Thursday when the competition kicks off in the Bahamian capital, Nassau.
Lovers of the sport could hardly hope for a better host country than The Bahamas, which not only boasts pristine sands and stunning turquoise oceans but also a population truly captivated by beach soccer.
The recent CONCACAF qualifier held in Nassau showcased that latter point and, in what will be the first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in the CONCACAF region, the hosts will occupy a slot in Group A alongside fellow debutants Ecuador.
African champions Senegal and former runners-up Switzerland complete the pool while Group B includes AFC Beach Soccer Championship winners Iran as well as Nigeria, Italy and Mexico.
The Mexicans finished second at the recent qualifier in Nassau, losing to Panama in the final, and the newly crowned CONCACAF champions will be full of confidence when they begin their Group C campaign against holders Portugal.
Mario Narciso’s side are bidding to become the third team to defend the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup title, after Brazil and Russia, having lifted it for the first time on home sand in Espinho two years ago.
Joining Panama and Portugal in the competition’s third group are CONMEBOL runners-up Paraguay and UAE, fresh from their run to the final at the AFC qualifier in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
The competition’s most successful nation, Brazil, begin their quest for a fifth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup title in Group D where they will come up against 2015 runners-up Tahiti as well as competition regulars Japan and European champions Poland.
Iran and Mexico get the ball rolling in their Group B opener and those attending the National Beach Soccer Arena in Nassau will be treated to 31 more games in total over 11 days of action as the world’s best sides go head to head for the ninth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup title.
To date, the competition’s eight editions have seen 2,019 goals across 244 matches while 1,047,020 spectators have packed into stadiums across the world to be treated to matches with an average of 8.3 goals per game.
With all signs pointing towards another spectacular event, packed with thrills, spills and skills, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 is ready to prove it’s better in the Bahamas.
Thursday fixtures
15.30 – Iran v Mexico (Group B)
17.00 – Ecuador v Senegal (Group A)
18.45 – Nigeria Italy (Group B)
20.00 – Bahamas v Switzerland (Group A)
