by Joan Cuscó, Beach Soccer Worldwide President
Dear friends,
The 2022 season witnessed some of the most historic and impressive developments in beach soccer to date. New teams rose to prominence, examples being the amazing feat of Casa Benfica to win the Euro Winners Cup and Paraguay claiming the South American crown.
The women’s game took great strides in the right direction, as new events were established, such as the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup won by Brazil in November, as well as the first-ever official beach soccer matches being officiated by an all-female team of referees.
2022 also saw the triumphant returns of beach soccer competitions whose development was cruelly halted by the Covid pandemic such as the World Winners Cup, as well as the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup. NEOM was one of the most spectacular competitions in the sport’s history, and beach soccer has truly cemented the foundations of a new home and made new friends there.
At another glittering gala in Dubai, we saw the brightest stars in the game receive awards, as two new players rose the very pinnacle of the sport, when Adriele Rocha (BRA) and Bê Martins (POR) claimed the Best Player awards at the Beach Soccer Stars. We wish them, and all the award winners on that extraordinary night, a special congratulations.
As we wave goodbye to 2022, we look ahead with eagerness to another exciting year of beach soccer action. Now strap yourselves in, because 2023 will be a beach soccer season to remember…
See you next year!