The 6th Futsal World cup is being played in Brazil. The tournament started in 1989 in Netherlands. The Dutch Football Federation was also celebrating their centenary in 1989, so the event was held in a doubly festive spirit. Sixteen teams took part, setting a trend that has been followed in all tournaments since: six European sides, three from South America, two from Africa, two Asian sides and two from CONCACAF joined the one representative from Oceania to compete for the world crown. Brazil won the tournament defeating host by 2-1 in the final. USA and Belgium finished third and fourth respectively.
The 2nd FIFA Futsal World Championship, held in Hong Kong in 1992, proved to be great success. As in the first tournament, sixteen nations took part: six from Europe, three from South America, three from Asia, two from CONCACAF, one from Africa and one from Oceania. Brazil won the tournament second successive time defeating USA 4-1 in the final. Spain and Iran finished third and fourth respectively. Iran is the biggest surprise in this tournament.
The 3rd FIFA Futsal World Championship was organized with great style by the Spanish Football Federation in 1996. It was a very popular with the fans. Sixteen nations travelled to Iberia in search of glory: six from Europe, three from South America, three from Asia, two from CONCACAF, one from Africa and one from Oceania. Brazil won the tournament for the third consecutive time. They defeated the host nation 6-4 in a thriller. Russia and Ukraine finished third and fourth respectively.
The 4th FIFA Futsal World Championship was organized by Guatemala in 2000. The tournament ended the domination of Brazil. They lost to Spain 3-4 in a thriller in the final. Brazil defeated the host 29-2 the biggest winning margin broken recently by Russia against Solomon Islands in 2008. Portugal and Russia finished third and fourth respectively.
Brazil failed to enter the final for the first time in the 5th FIFA Futsal World Championship. The tournament was hosted by Chinese Taipei in 2004. Spain continued their dominance ion the tournament. They won the final against Italy by 2-1. Spain defeated Brazil 5-4 in the penalty shootout. Brazil defeated Argentina 7-4 to finish third their worst performance in the history of the tournament.
The 6th edition of the Futsal has now reached the second stage. Brazil and Russia qualified from group A. Brazil won all their matches including defeated Russia 7-0. Brazil defeated Solomon Island 21-0, Japan 12-1, and Cuba 9-0 to enter the next round. But Russia responded with two bug wins against Solomon Islands and Japan. They broke the all time victory margin record by defeating Solomon Islands 31-2. They crushed Japan 9-1 and Cuba 10-5 to enter the second round. Italy and Paraguay entered the second round from Group B. Portugal, Paraguay, and Italy finished with 9 points. But Paraguay and Italy qualified for better goal difference. Paraguay defeated Italy 4-2, Thailand 8-0, and USA 5-0 before losing to Portugal 2-3. Italy defeated Thailand 1-0, Portugal 3-1, and USA 6-1. Favorites Spain and Iran qualified from Group D. Iran has held two time champion Spain 3-3 in the first match and then defeated Libya (4-2), Uruguay (4-2) and Czech Republic (3-2) to qualify for the next round. Spain defeated Libya (3-0), Czech Republic (4-0) and Uruguay (3-0) to qualify. Argentina and Ukraine qualified from Group C. Argentina defeated Guatemala 2-1, China 5-0, and Egypt 5-2 and drew with Ukraine 2-2. Ukraine defeated Guatemala 6-2, China 4-2, and Egypt 5-1.
