The world of women’s futsal has just witnessed a historic milestone as the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup concluded in the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025.
This first-ever edition not only marked a major step in FIFA’s commitment to developing women’s football and futsal globally but also delivered an unforgettable tournament featuring 16 of the world’s top national teams.
Brazil emerged as the champions, capturing the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup title and solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the sport. Their victory added a historic chapter to women’s futsal, setting a new benchmark for future editions of the tournament.
2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Tournament Overview and Historic Significance
Table of Contents
The FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup represents the culmination of years of advocacy from players, coaches, and administrators who have long called for greater recognition of women’s futsal.
Created by FIFA in December 2022, this tournament addresses the “public neglect” criticism the organisation had faced regarding women’s futsal development.
Key Tournament Details:
- 16 participating teams from all six confederations
- Tournament dates: November 21 – December 7, 2025
- Host nation: Philippines (first FIFA event hosted by the country)
- Venue: PhilSports Arena, Pasig City, Metro Manila
- Capacity: 10,000 spectators
- Tournament format: Group stage followed by knockout rounds
Final Position
- Winner: Brazil (1st title)
- Runners-up: Portugal
- Third place: Spain
- Fourth place: Argentina
Awards
- Top scorer(s): Emilly (Brazil), Irene Córdoba (Spain) – (7 goals each)
- Best player: Emilly (Brazil)
- Best goalkeeper: Ana Catarina (Portugal)
2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Qualified Teams and Continental Representation
The tournament features a balanced global representation with teams having earned their places through rigorous continental qualifying competitions throughout 2024 and 2025.
| Confederation | Slots | Qualified Teams | World Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC (Asia) | 3 + Host | Philippines (Host) | 63rd |
| Thailand | 4th | ||
| Japan | 5th | ||
| Iran | 9th | ||
| CAF (Africa) | 2 | Morocco | 31st |
| Tanzania | 82nd | ||
| CONCACAF | 2 | Canada | 74th |
| Panama | 79th | ||
| CONMEBOL | 3 | Brazil | 1st |
| Argentina | 6th | ||
| Colombia | 8th | ||
| OFC (Oceania) | 1 | New Zealand | 21st |
| UEFA (Europe) | 4 | Spain | 2nd |
| Portugal | 3rd | ||
| Italy | 7th | ||
| Poland | 14th |
Tournament Draw and Group Allocation
The official tournament draw was held on September 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM local time at the BGC Arts Centre in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The ceremony was hosted by renowned Filipino sports presenter Mara Aquino and broadcast live on FIFA.com and the FIFA+ app.
Draw Pot Allocation (Based on FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking):
| Pot 1: | Philippines (63rd – Host, automatically in Group A1) Brazil (1st – World leaders) Spain (2nd – European champions) Portugal (3rd – UEFA qualifier) |
| Pot 2: | Thailand (4th – Asian champions runner-up) Japan (5th – AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup winners) Argentina (6th – CONMEBOL representatives) Italy (7th – UEFA qualifier) |
| Pot 3: | Colombia (8th – South American qualifier) Iran (9th – Making FIFA women’s tournament debut) Poland (14th – UEFA qualifier) New Zealand (21st – OFC champions) |
| Pot 4: | Morocco (31st – CAF champions, biggest ranking climber) Canada (74th – CONCACAF qualifier) Panama (79th – CONCACAF representative) Tanzania (82nd – Making first-ever senior FIFA tournament appearance) |
Trophy Design and Symbolism
FIFA recently unveiled the stunning FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup trophy, designed in-house to embody the essence of futsal while establishing its own unique identity. The trophy has showcased for the first time during the September 15 draw ceremony.
Trophy Design Features:
- Two converging bars in gold and silver symbolizing unity and competition
- Stylized futsal pitch as the base design
- Dynamic curves echoing the flow and speed of futsal
- Technical finesse representation highlighting ball control and teamwork
- Unique identity while taking inspiration from the men’s futsal World Cup trophy
Continental Qualifying Highlights
AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup 2025 (China)
Japan claimed their first AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup title with a dramatic 3-2 penalty shootout victory over Thailand after a 3-3 draw in extra time. The tournament, held in Hohhot, saw Iran secure third place to qualify for their first FIFA women’s tournament.
Key Moments:
- Japan’s historic triumph – First AFC title for the nation
- Sara Oino named Most Valuable Player
- Maral Torkaman (Iran) finished as the top scorer with 6 goals
- Iran’s breakthrough – First FIFA women’s competition appearance
Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Morocco hosted and won the inaugural Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, climbing 16 places in the FIFA rankings from 47th to 31st. Tanzania’s qualification marks their first-ever senior FIFA tournament appearance.
CONCACAF W Futsal Championship 2025
The inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Futsal Championship saw Canada and Panama emerge as the confederation’s representatives, marking significant growth in North American women’s futsal.
Copa América de Futsal Femenina 2025
South America’s traditional powerhouses, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, secured their spots, with Brazil maintaining their world #1 ranking throughout the qualification process.
UEFA Qualifying Campaign
European qualifying featured two stages – main round and elite round – with Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Poland advancing through highly competitive mini-tournaments across the continent.
Tournament Format and Structure
The 16 teams will be divided into four groups (A-D) of four teams each. The tournament follows a standard format progressing through distinct phases:
Group Stage:
- The top 2 teams from each group advance (8 teams total)
- Round-robin format within each group
- 12 group stage matches determining knockout participants
Knockout Phase:
The quarterfinal stage is set for 1 December and 2 December, with the victors moving forward to the semis on Dec. 5. TMT
- Quarterfinals – Group winners vs Group runners-up
- Semifinals – Winners advance to final and third-place playoff
- Third-place playoff – Semifinal losers compete for bronze
- Final – Championship match on December 7, 2025
Quarterfinals
Confirmed Quarter-final Teams
- Brazil women’s futsal team
- Italy women’s futsal team
- Japan women’s futsal team
- Portugal women’s futsal team
- Spain women’s futsal team
- Colombia women’s futsal team
- Argentina women’s futsal team
- Morocco women’s futsal team
- Argentina 4–1 Colombia
- Spain 6–1 Morocco
- Portugal 7–2 Italy
- Brazil 6–1 Japan
Semifinals
- Argentina 1–7 Portugal – PhilSports Arena, Pasig
- Spain 1–4 Brazil – PhilSports Arena, Pasig
Finals
- Argentina 1–5 Spain – PhilSports Arena, Pasig
Finals
- Portugal 0–3 Brazil – PhilSports Arena, Pasig
The Philippines as Historic Host Nation
The Philippines’ selection as host represents several historic firsts:
- First FIFA event hosted by the Philippines
- Second FIFA women’s tournament in Southeast Asia (first since the 2004 Thailand)
- Second futsal World Cup in the region (first since the 2012 Thailand)
2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Host City Details
Originally planned venues:
- Pasig City (Metro Manila) – PhilSports Arena (Confirmed)
- Victorias City (Negros Occidental) – Victorias City Coliseum (Dropped September 2025)
Current venue:
- PhilSports Arena, Pasig City
- Capacity: 10,000
- Location: Metropolitan Manila
- All matches to be played at a single venue
The venue selection process considered infrastructure, accessibility, accommodation capacity, and proven track record in hosting major sporting events.
Tournament Mascot and Branding
Diwa serves as the official tournament mascot, unveiled on August 30, 2025, at San Joaquin Elementary School in Pasig. The mascot embodies Filipino culture and futsal values:
Mascot Characteristics:
- Inspiration: Diwata (fairy from Philippine folklore)
- Personality: Spirited girl with close ties to nature
- Values: Teamwork, power, and grace
- Cultural significance: Represents Filipino heritage and futsal spirit
Tournament Branding:
- Official slogan: “Master The Speed”
- Logo elements: Vinta, Gabbang instrument, Binakael patterns
- Visual identity: Street art motifs reflecting Philippine culture
- Design themes: Speed, skill, and constant movement
Global Impact and Development
The tournament’s creation reflects FIFA’s broader commitment to women’s football development, with significant implications for the sport’s future:
Ranking System Development:
- 92 teams now featured in FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking
- 12 new teams added in the latest ranking update
- 206 women’s matches played in 2025 (vs. 165 men’s matches)
- 95 recent matches included World Cup qualifying fixtures
Growing Global Participation:
Recent additions to FIFA Futsal Women’s World Ranking include Canada, Mexico, Panama, Tanzania, Cameroon, Angola, Egypt, Honduras, Madagascar, Namibia, Guinea, and Cuba, demonstrating the sport’s expanding reach
Tournament Legacy and Future Impact
The inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup is positioned to create lasting impact:
Development Goals:
- Infrastructure improvement in host cities
- Grassroots program expansion throughout the Philippines
- Global inspiration for women’s futsal participation
- Commercial growth for women’s futsal worldwide
Broadcasting and Coverage
- Live streaming on FIFA.com and the FIFA+ app
- Global broadcast partnerships expanding reach
- Multi-language coverage ensuring international accessibility
- Social media integration targeting younger demographics
Key Dates
The FIFA Women’s Tournament, 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup started from –
- September 15, 2025: Official tournament draw (5:00 PM Manila time)
- November 21, 2025: Tournament opening match
- December 7, 2025: Final match and trophy presentation
- Post-tournament: Legacy programs and infrastructure utilization
The FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup 2025 represents more than just a sporting competition – it’s a historic milestone that recognizes women’s futsal as a global force worthy of FIFA’s premier tournament status.
With 16 teams from around the world converging in the Philippines, this inaugural tournament promises to showcase the skill, speed, and artistry that define women’s futsal while inspiring the next generation of players worldwide.
As the countdown continues to November 21, 2025, the Philippines prepares to host a tournament that will forever change the landscape of women’s futsal, creating new heroes, unforgettable moments, and a lasting legacy for the beautiful game played at its fastest and most skilful level.
