European Leagues

Uzbekistan host 10th FIFA Futsal World Cup as France set for debut

The 10th FIFA Futsal World Championship in Uzbekistan will feature 24 teams, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand, and France making their debuts, and Portugal returning to defend their title won three years ago in Lithuania.

The first-ever FIFA tournament in Central Asia kicks off on 14 September in Bukhara and the capital, Tashkent. The eastern city of Andijan will complete the trio of venues for the 24-team competition. The 2024 edition will be the tenth in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup and will run until 6 October.

Futsal has grown rapidly in Uzbekistan over the past decade. The White Wolves made their debut at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2016 and reached the knockout stage in 2021, losing 9-8 to IR Iran in the Round of 16 in one of the most exciting matches in the tournament’s history.

Uzbekistan will be joined in the competition by four former champions – Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Spain – and four debutants: Afghanistan, France, New Zealand and Tajikistan. Angola, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Guatemala, Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela complete the line-up after successfully completing the 121-team qualifying process.

First-ever FIFA Futsal Ranking
Earlier this year, the first FIFA Futsal World Ranking was published for both men and women. The top six teams – Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Iran, Argentina and Morocco – will compete for the title in Uzbekistan. The launch of the qualifiers was an important milestone and strengthened the position of futsal.

Hosts Uzbekistan, the Netherlands, Paraguay and Costa Rica will compete in one of the most open groups in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Championship, while three reigning continental champions – Portugal, Panama and Morocco – will join Tajikistan in the first round.

In Group D, defending champions Spain and Kazakhstan are joined by New Zealand and newcomers Libya. Five-time champions Brazil share a group with Cuba, Croatia and up-and-coming Thailand. Afghanistan, making their first FIFA appearance since 1948, are paired with 2016 champions Argentina, Ukraine and Angola.

A clash of titans and new rivalries
Brazil and Spain won the first seven editions of the FIFA Futsal World Championship, five and two times respectively. Argentina and Portugal have since added their names to the trophy. Several emerging powers are threatening to do the same at this year’s event, which kicks off on 14 September.

Afghanistan, France, New Zealand and Tajikistan will be making their tournament debuts, while Croatia and the Netherlands will be returning for the first time in almost a quarter of a century.

Superstars to watch
A total of 336 players will be competing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup trophy in Uzbekistan, with megastars in abundance. FC Barcelona’s Ferrao and Sergio Lozano have both overcome serious injuries.

The Brazilian pivot has been called up by Marquinhos Xavier despite his limited involvement over the past 18 months, while Sergio Lozano’s resilience has seen him recover from a fourth anterior cruciate ligament operation on his right knee.

Spain have an interesting mix of experience and youth, with plenty of quality. As well as three outstanding goalkeepers, they have the likes of Tomaz, Cortés, Adolfito, Catela and Miguel Ángel Mellado.

As well as Ferrao, a three-time World Player of the Year, Brazil also boast Pito, considered by many to be the best player in the world at the moment. Marquinhos’ group is also blessed with the outstanding and experienced professionals Guitta, Marlon and Dyego.

Ten of the men who helped Portugal defeat Lithuania in 2021 will be present. In their first World Cup without the legendary Ricardinho for 20 years, Jorge Braz’s side boast three of the world’s best players in Erick Mendonca, Pany Varela and Zicky, as well as 21-year-old phenom Kutchy.

Cristian Borruto, Alan Brandi, Nico Sarmiento, Pablo Taborda and Kiki Vaporaki, who helped Argentina triumph at Colombia 2016, will be aiming for a second gold medal. Angel Claudino, who scored a stunning goal in the 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the 2021 final, is another key figure for coach Matias Lucuix.

A tournament full of milestones and historic moments
The rest of the top ten in the FIFA Futsal World Ranking also include Moslem Oladghobad and Hossein Tayyebi (IR Iran), Soufian Charraoui and Soufiane El-Mesrar (Morocco), Douglas Junior and Leo Higuita (Kazakhstan), Muhammad Osamanmusa and Suphawut Thueanklang (Thailand) and Abdessamad Mohammed and Souheil Mouhoudine (France).

In a testament to the scale of Uzbekistan 2024, Kritsada Wongkaeo recently quit professional football to play in his fourth FIFA Futsal World Cup. Despite not having much time to prove his worth, the 36-year-old has done enough to win over Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo.

Uzbekistan, ranked 11th in the world, are determined to repay their passionate fans in what they know will be an electric atmosphere. Ilkhomjon Khamroev, Khusniddin Nishonov and Ikhtiyor Ropiev have the class to make it happen, while 19-year-old Fazliddin Botirov is a promising prospect.

Croatian icons Dario Marinovic and Franko Jelovcic, who have enjoyed admirable club careers, will finally be playing on futsal’s biggest stage at the age of 34 and 33 respectively, while New Zealand captain Dylan Manickum will be making history by playing in his second FIFA tournament. The 32-year-old represented Auckland City at the last two FIFA Club World Cups and will join Fabinho, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema in Saudi Arabia 2023.

Afghanistan, who will be making their first FIFA appearance since 1948, are banking on youth. Incredibly, four of the eight players who will take part in the tournament are teenagers: Mehran Gholami, Bahman Gorgej, Ali Jafari and Mohammad Moradi.

Other magicians to watch out for include Ayoub Boukhari (Netherlands), Minor Cabalceta (Costa Rica), Wilmer Cabarcas (Venezuela), Helber (Angola), Jonathan Hernández (Cuba), Igor Korsun (Ukraine), Alfonso Maquensi (Panama), Damián Mareco (Paraguay), Dilshod Salomov (Tajikistan), Marvin Sandoval (Guatemala) and Ali Shoshan (Libya).

The tournament promises to showcase the very best of futsal, from seasoned champions to exciting newcomers. With a host of superstars, historic debuts and thrilling matches to come, the stage is set for one of the most memorable FIFA Futsal World Cups in history.

Groups

Group A: Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Paraguay, Costa Rica

Group B: Brazil, Cuba, Croatia, Thailand

Group C: Argentina, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Angola

Group D: Spain, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Libya

Group E: Portugal, Panama, Tajikistan, Morocco

Group F: IR Iran, Venezuela, Guatemala, France

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Mbappe Hat-Trick Dismantles Man City As Real Madrid Hit Last 16

Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a convincing 3-0 over Manchester City in the second leg of their play-off round tie at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the final aggregate score being 6-2.

A stunning comeback in Manchester last week ensured that Real Madrid only needed to avoid defeat in the second leg in order to be confirmed in the next round. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to settle for this, and they extended their aggregate lead inside the opening four minutes in the Spanish capital. A long ball over the top from Raul Asencio went into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who lobbed over the onrushing Ederson and into the back of the net.

Just beyond the half hour mark, Mbappe got his and Real Madrid’s second of the evening. A wonderful team move ended with Rodrygo Goes playing in the French attacker, and he showed great feet to take the ball away from a couple of Man City defenders before blasting in from close range.

That goal put the tie beyond any doubt, but Real Madrid and Mbappe did not stop there. The 26-year-old would finish off for his second hat-trick of the season on 61 minutes after he curled the ball into the far corner to complete a sensational evening for him and his teammates.

However, it was not a perfect match for Ancelotti’s side as they conceded in the final minute after former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez scored from close range after Omar Marmoush’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.

The result means that Real Madrid are into the next round, and they will face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 stage of the Champions League. The draw for that round is set to take place later this week.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Set Up Clash With Liverpool or Barcelona

UCL: PSG Whitewash Brest To Stroll Into Last 16

Paris St-Germain roared into the last 16 of the Champions League with a thumping victory over Brest.

Luis Enrique’s side will now face Liverpool or Barcelona with the draw due to take place on Friday, 21 February at 11:00 GMT, in Nyon Switzerland.

Already leading 3-0 from the first leg of their knockout play-off, the hosts again exhibited their superiority over a fellow French side they have now defeated four times this season – scoring 18 times in the process.

Bradley Barcola extended their advantage with a neat near-post effort and his fellow winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tapped in PSG’s second of the evening before the break.

Portugal international Joao Neves also hit the crossbar for the hosts, before his compatriot and midfield partner Vitinha curled a low shot into the right corner from 18 yards just before the hour mark.

From there PSG moved through the gears.

Goncalo Ramos teed up fellow substitute Desire Doue for their fourth, the impressive Nuno Mendes slid in Achraf Hakimi’s teasing ball for a fifth, Ramos’ deft finish brought a sixth and teenager Senny Mayulu rounded off the scoring with four minutes left.

It ensured a miserable night in the French capital for Brest, who only threatened sporadically when Mathias Pereira Lage’s placed effort was cleared off the line by PSG captain Marquinhos and Pierre Lees-Melou hit the post with a curling effort.

BBC

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ademola Lookman Trains Fully Ahead Of Champions League Clash

Atalanta has received a significant boost ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash against Club Brugge, with Nigerian international Ademola Lookman returning to full training on Monday, February 17, per Allnigeriasoccer.

Lookman had been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained just two days before a crucial match against Barcelona.

His recovery and return to group training are expected to enhance Atalanta’s attacking options as they prepare for the upcoming fixture.

Lookman’s return is also a positive development for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle, who was appointed as the head coach of the Nigeria national football team in January 2025, is keen to have his key players in top form ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles are set to resume their qualifying campaign in March 2025, with matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Lookman’s return to fitness will be closely monitored by Chelle, as the winger’s pace and creativity could be instrumental in Nigeria’s upcoming fixtures.

Atalanta’s coach will however assess Lookman’s fitness to determine his potential involvement in the upcoming Champions League match against Brugge.

Given the importance of the fixture, Lookman’s inclusion could provide a significant advantage, as his attacking prowess has been a key asset for Atalanta this season.

For Atalanta supporters, Lookman’s recovery is great news, and the club’s prospects in the Champions League look much brighter with him back in the fold.

Atalanta is aiming to build on their strong performances this season, and Lookman’s return is crucial as they look to advance further in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.

As the match day draws closer, both Lookman and Atalanta are hopeful that the winger can make an impact once again, and fans are excited to see the Nigerian back on the pitch.

With Lookman fully integrated into the squad once more, Atalanta’s attacking threat is renewed, and they are optimistic about their chances in the Champions League.

Allnigeriasoccer