World Cup Qualifiers: Africa, Oceania, and Europe Wrap-up

International, Tournaments

The 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is taking shape, with the African, Oceania, and European qualifiers concluding in thrilling fashion, marked by stunning upsets and impressive performances.

Let’s delve into each region’s highlights, surprises, and expert analysis.

You can also listen to our Podcast discussing the topic on Spotify.

African Qualifiers: Senegal and Mauritania Shine

The recent African qualifiers, held in Hurghada, Egypt, brought together eight nations vying for two coveted spots. Defending champion Senegal and debutant Mauritania emerged victorious, securing tickets to the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles.

Senegal win the CAF Beach Soccer African Cup of Nations 2024 in Hurghada.

Senegal dominated the tournament, defeating Egypt 5-2 in the semifinals and Mauritania 6-1 in the final, claiming their eighth continental title. Mauritania’s impressive silver medal debut cemented their place in the World Cup, showcasing their rapid growth and potential.

ALSO READ: Road to Egypt 2024: Beach Soccer AFCON Qualifiers.

Oceania Qualifiers: Tahiti Triumphs

In Honiara, Solomon Islands, the Oceania qualifiers saw Fiji, Papua New Guinea, host Solomon Islands, and defending champion Tahiti compete for one spot. Tahiti edged host Solomon Islands 3-2 in the final, securing their eighth World Cup appearance.

Tahiti wins the OFC Beach Soccer Men's Cup of Nations in Honiara.

The tournament’s opening day witnessed history as Papua New Guinea notched their first-ever international beach soccer victory, defeating Fiji 8-6. Tahiti’s experience and skill ultimately prevailed, but the emergence of Papua New Guinea hints at a bright future for Oceania beach soccer.

ALSO READ: OFC Beach Soccer: Four Nations Vie for Seychelles 2025 Ticket

European Qualifiers: Portugal Reigns

The European qualifiers in Cádiz, Andalucia, featured 21 nations competing for four spots. Portugal emerged as champion, defeating host Spain 9-6 in the pulsating final.

Portugal wins the 2024 European qualifier championship in Cadiz.

Portugal, two-time FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champion (2015 and 2019), will make their 12th appearance in Seychelles. Spain, runners-up in 2013, will attend their 10th World Cup. Italy, three-time runners-up (2008, 2019, 2024), and Belarus, with their best finish being fourth place in Dubai, complete the European quartet.

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“Senegal’s consistency is impressive, but Mauritania’s rapid growth is a welcome surprise,” says retired FIFA Beach Soccer Referee Abduljelili Ogunmuyiwa. “Tahiti’s experience and skill will serve them well in Seychelles. Portugal’s dominance in Europe is no surprise, given their past successes.”

Abduljelili adds, “The European qualifiers showcased the continent’s depth, with Italy and Spain demonstrating their strength. Belarus’s fourth-place finish in Dubai indicates their potential for an upset in Seychelles.”

Conclusion

The African, Oceania, and European qualifiers have set the stage for an electrifying 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. With Senegal, Mauritania, Tahiti, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belarus securing their spots, the battle for beach soccer supremacy is heating up.

However, the journey to Seychelles is far from over. Asia and the Americas (South and the North, Central and Caribbean) qualifiers are slated for early 2025. In Asia, the AFC qualifiers will determine the three representatives for the region, with powerhouses like Japan, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates vying for spots. CONMEBOL’s qualifiers will feature South American heavyweights like Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay battle for the three available spots. Meanwhile, CONCACAF’s qualifiers, with only two tickets, will see teams like Mexico, the United States, and El Salvador battling for a chance to join the World Cup.

As the remaining qualifiers unfold, stay tuned for more beach soccer updates as we count down to the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles.