USA-Italy, Tahiti-Argentina, United Arab Emirates-Egypt, Spain-IR Iran are set to make for a memorable opening day at UAE 2024 Dubai.
Fixtures: Thursday 15 February
M1: USA v Italy
Kick-off times
03:30 in Los Angeles 06: 30 in New York 12:30 in Rome 15:30 in Dubai Leandro Casipieri was named the planet’s Best Men’s Goalkeeper on Monday night. He must now take on another in Chris Toth. USA have arguably their finest-ever side, while a fresh, young Italy team conquered Europe in 2023 and are among the favourite for the title in Dubai.
Players to watch
Marco Giordani The MVP in last year’s Euro Beach Soccer League is being tipped to challenge for another award: the adidas Golden Scorer won twice by his compatriot, Gabriele Gori.
Chris Toth With star striker Nick Perera out injured, pressure will heighten on the shoulders of USA’s No1, who is as outstanding making saves as he is plays.
Trivia
- Tanner Akol is the cousin of slam-dunk specialist Aaron Gordon, who helped the Denver Nuggets win the NBA Championship last year.
- Marco Giordani combines playing beach soccer with 11-a-side for Anzio in Serie D.
Quotes
“I’m super excited. My dad came over from a small town outside of Naples. It will be special for me, for my family. I’m looking forward to coming out with the win and, I suppose, representing the Italian-Americans!” Alessandro Canale
“Winning the World Cup would be a dream. We have to keep our feet on the ground, but at the same time we need to believe in our heads and in our hearts that we can do it. For now though, let’s just think about that first match against the USA and see where we go from there.” Leandro Casapieri
M2: Tahiti v Argentina
Kick-off times
03:00 in Papeete 10:00 in Buenos Aires 17:00 in Dubai Two silvers sit in the Warriors Gods’ cabinet. Now they want gold. The Albiceleste return to the big stage for the first time in nine years with designs on reaching the semi-finals for the first time. In the group of death, however, both know making it out alive will be an achievement, placing ample pressure on this absorbing opener.
Players to watch
Heimanu Taiarui He beat Alan and Madjer to the adidas Golden Ball at Portugal 2015 and, at 37, is still a magnificent, multifunctional performer.
Lucas Ponzetti Like Lionel Messi at football and Kiki Vaporaki at futsal, Argentina’s No10 is instrumental. Ponzetti makes and takes goals, and is industrious off the ball.
Trivia
- Goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia works as a firefighter in Tahiti.
- Argentina’s 12 players come from just three clubs, with six – Lucas Medero, Emmanuel de Sosa, Axel Rutterschmidt, Luciano Sirico and Lautaro Benaducci – representing CA Acassuso together.
Quotes
“We know it’s going to be a tough game, and that it’s going to be a chance for Argentina to make amends for 2013. I fully expect them to be ready, as they’ve played more internationals than us. Therefore, we need to afford them all due respect.” Teva Zaveroni, Tahiti coach “I watched the World Cup they hosted, when they lost the third-place play-off to Brazil. They then reached two World Cup finals, in 2015 and 2017. They have a lot of players from those World Cups. I know they’re still very strong. Sebastian Gomez Polatti, Argentina goalkeeper
M3: United Arab Emirates v Egypt
Kick-off times
17:30 in Cairo 19:30 in Dubai
The first All-Arab clash in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history has the region rocking. Egypt will be making their competition debut. United Arab Emirates, following a ground-breaking year in which they toppled some of the best sides on the planet, are desperate to reach the knockout phase for the first time at the eighth time of asking.
Players to watch
Walid Mohammad One of the finest players in Asian history, the UAE captain’s bicycle kicks, which he perfected by studying Brazil legend Jorginho, are potent. Moustafa Samir The 37-year-old’s goal is to finish each game having outworked every other player. That, coupled with his dynamic finishing, makes him indispensable to the Pharaohs.
Trivia
- United Arab Emirates have the oldest squad at this tournament. Ten of their 12 players are incredibly older than Colombia coach Santiago Alzate!
- Egypt incredibly have the smallest three of the 192 players at UAE 2024 Dubai: Mohamed Loha (1.59m), Elhusseini Taha (1.60m) and Ahmed Elshahat (1.62m). There is a 29-centimetre gap between Egypt’s shortest and tallest players, and only an eight-centimetre one between United Arab Emirates’ (1.71m to 1.79m).
Quotes
“The United Arab Emirates against Egypt is a huge game in the Arab world. It’s really exciting for everybody involved, for the spectators. People here are really passionate about beach soccer. I think the standard of Arab teams has improved drastically.” Victor Vasques, United Arab Emirates coach
“If we’re focused and get a bit of luck, we can go all the way. All of us, including our coach Mostafa Lotfy, dream of achieving a historic World Cup title, and that’s not impossible. I think it’ll all come down to how we start because, if we beat the UAE in our opening match, that will give us a real boost of confidence and motivation.” Moustafa Samir, Egypt player
M4: Spain v IR Iran
Kick-off times
18:00 in Madrid 20:30 in Tehran 21:00 in Dubai Iran have long been considered one of the best sides on the planet, but Team Melli’s current class is arguably their best ever. They thumped Japan, runners-up at the last World Cup, 6-0 in the last year’s AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup decider and are now eager to go two steps further than they did when finishing third at their last global finals in 2017. Spain are one of the sport’s most successful nations, but one title has agonisingly eluded them. Can the Tahiti 2013 runners-up seize it in Dubai?
Players to watch
Chiky Do not blink when the man from Mazarron is on the ball. Chiky is a serial scorer of golazos and registered the world’s Best Goal in 2022.
Moslem Mesigar Tough and talented in equal measure, the MVP at the last Asian finals is at the peak of his considerable powers.
Trivia
- Spain’s Dona and Moslem Mesigar of IR Iran will set a new record for playing in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups the longest time apart: 17 years. Portugal legend Belchior had held the record at 16 years.
Quotes
“I honestly believe Iran could be the big favourites in this World Cup. They’ve been a very tactical and physical side over the last few years. I think they’ve got the best one-two game in the world, with a lot of variations inside and out. They’re a really tough side, but they are beatable.” Chiky, Spain player
“I will try my best to be among the top scorers in the competition. My biggest sporting and life dream is to win the Golden Glove. Through around 10 years of training and trying – even during difficult times for beach football – all my thoughts and desires have been on winning the World Cup Golden Glove.” Seyed Mirjalili, Iran goalkeeper
Credits: FIFA, BSWW
