In just four editions, the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup has evolved from a regional gathering into a truly global spectacle. What began in 2022 on the sands of Costa del Sol has grown into a tournament that now attracts top nations from across Europe, the Americas, and beyond, blending emerging teams with established powers and delivering new champions year after year, transforming the tournament into one of beach soccer’s most compelling stories.
2022: A Strong Foundation on Home Sand
The inaugural edition in 2022 laid the foundation, featuring a diverse mix of teams including El Salvador, Mexico, Germany, and Uruguay in the men’s competition, alongside the USA, Bahamas, and Argentina in the women’s tournament. El Salvador thrilled home fans by lifting the men’s title, while the USA set the early benchmark in the women’s game. It was a strong local beginning, but also a sign of the tournament’s international ambition.
2024: Expansion and Emerging Powers
By 2024, that ambition had fully materialised. The competition welcomed nations such as Morocco, Switzerland, USA, and England, with Morocco emerging as men’s champions and the USA defending their women’s crown. The presence of teams from Africa, Europe, and North America underlined the tournament’s expanding reach, while El Salvador’s women continued their rise, finishing as runners-up and building momentum for what was to come.
2025: A Shift in the Balance
The 2025 edition marked a turning point in competitiveness. Portugal claimed the men’s title ahead of Ukraine and El Salvador, while the hosts captured their first women’s crown, overcoming Switzerland and the USA. The balance of power was shifting—no longer dominated by a single region, the tournament had become unpredictable, with new contenders emerging each year.
2026: New Heights and New Champions
That unpredictability reached new heights in 2026. Featuring Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, and hosts El Salvador in the men’s competition, while the women featured Portugal, Brazil, Mexico, and El Salvador. This fourth edition showcased the tournament at its strongest. Brazil powered their way to their first El Salvador Cup title, while Denmark impressed as runners-up. In the women’s game, El Salvador defended their crown against Portugal, confirming their status as a growing force on home sand.
El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup: Editions, Venues, and Champions
| Edition | Year | Venue | Men’s Champion | Men’s Runner-up | Women’s Champion | Women’s Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2022 | Costa del Sol, El Salvador | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇦🇷 Argentina |
| 2nd | 2024 | Costa del Sol, El Salvador | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇸🇻 El Salvador |
| 3rd | 2025 | San Salvador, El Salvador | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 🇨🇭 Switzerland |
| 4th | 2026 | Estadio de Deportes de Playa, Complejo Deportivo Flor Blanca, San Salvador | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇩🇰 Denmark | 🇸🇻 El Salvador | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
Perhaps the most defining storyline across these four editions is the men’s competition itself — four tournaments, four different champions: El Salvador (2022), Morocco (2024), Portugal (2025), and Brazil (2026). This reflects not just competitiveness, but the tournament’s role as a testing ground for the world’s best.
From its early days to its current stature, the El Salvador Beach Soccer Cup has become more than just a tournament, it is a narrative of growth, diversity, and rising standards. With each edition introducing new nations, new champions, and new stories, San Salvador has firmly established itself as one of the global homes of beach soccer.
Credits: BSWW
