Road to 2028: UEFA Futsal World Cup Qualifying Kicks Off This Week

The road to the 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup starts now. UEFA’s main-round qualifying group phase gets underway this week, with 36 European teams beginning the long battle for just seven spots at the finals.

The main round runs from 12 to 21 October, with further windows in November, December and February-March. The 36 teams are split into 12 groups of three, playing home and away. The 12 group winners plus the four best runners-up advance to the elite round, while the remaining eight runners-up go into play-offs.

Only seven UEFA nations will reach the finals, scheduled for 7 to 29 October 2028 at a venue still to be confirmed — making every point precious from the very first whistle. The seedings for the draw were based on the FIFA futsal rankings, and they have thrown up some fascinating groups.

This week’s fixtures

The action starts on Wednesday 15 October when Hungary host Sweden at the Continental Arena in Nyiregyhaza. On Thursday 16 October, Montenegro face Moldova at 18:00 at the Verde Complex in Podgorica. Then on Monday 20 October, Armenia host Hungary at 17:00 at the FFA Technical Center Academy in Yerevan, while Moldova take on France at the FMF Futsal Arena in Chisinau.

Groups to watch

Group 1 (Armenia, Hungary, Sweden) and Group 2 (France, Moldova, Montenegro) look like the tightest on paper — three genuine contenders in each, with no room for a slow start.

Spain headline Group 4 as eight-time European champions, while Portugal lead Group 7 and Italy top Group 10. There is history being made at the other end too: Estonia, Northern Ireland and Andorra are all competing at this stage of World Cup qualifying for the first time.

France will be desperate to go one better after finishing fourth at the last World Cup, where Brazil beat Argentina in the final and Ukraine edged France to third place.