Futsal World Cup 2028 Qualifying: Poland Stun Bosnia 6-2, Italy Edge Georgia 3-2
The main round of European qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2028 served up goals, drama and one genuine upset this week, as matchdays across October 20 and 21 reshaped several groups.
Poland produced the result of the round, thrashing Bosnia and Herzegovina 6-2 in Gorzów just six days after the Bosnians had hammered Northern Ireland 17-1. Debutant Pedro Gabriel Goes marked his first cap with two goals as Poland ripped up the script in Group 5. With Poland and Bosnia now locked on three points apiece and Northern Ireland still to play, the group is wide open. Poland host Northern Ireland on November 7 before the return fixture four days later.
Italy survive Georgian scare in Rende
Italy needed all their composure to see off Georgia 3-2 in front of 1,260 fans in Rende. Pulvirenti fired the Azzurri ahead in the 12th minute, only for Giorgaia to level five minutes later. An own goal from Tkeshelashvili restored Italy’s lead in the 19th minute, and Motta made it 3-1 early in the second half. Georgia refused to go away, though, and Kekelia’s strike 11 minutes from time set up a nervy finish that Italy survived.
The win puts Italy level with Kosovo on three points in Group 10 after Kosovo’s 3-2 victory over Georgia on October 14. Georgia sit bottom with nothing to show from two games. The group now hinges on a November double-header: Kosovo host Italy on the 6th before travelling to Italy four days later.
Holders and heavyweights keep marching
Elsewhere, the big names did what big names do. European champions Spain opened their Group 4 campaign with a 3-1 win over Finland, while Portugal followed up their 10-3 demolition of Denmark by beating Romania 6-1 to stay perfect in Group 7. France were ruthless in a 6-0 win over Moldova in Group 2.
There were goals everywhere else too: Kazakhstan edged Belarus 5-4 in a thriller, the Netherlands and Serbia drew 3-3, Belgium and Slovenia shared four goals in a 2-2 draw, Czechia and Latvia finished 3-3, Hungary won 3-2 in Armenia, and Germany beat Lithuania 4-2.
Thirty-six teams are contesting the main round in 12 groups of three, played home and away. The 12 group winners and the four best runners-up go straight to the elite round, while the remaining eight runners-up enter the main round play-offs. Seven European places are on offer at the 2028 finals, whose host is yet to be announced. For context on where the continent’s heavyweights sit in the pecking order, see the latest FIFA futsal rankings.
