Futsal World: Brazil End Morocco’s Run (1-3)

 Moroccan men’s futsal team has moved up one spot to 6th worldwide, while the women’s national team has moved up 18 places, according to the latest world rankings published by FIFA on Friday.

Despite losing 7.6 points compared to the last ranking in October 2024, Morocco climbed the rankings thanks to Kazakhstan (7th) dropping 2 spots (-60.91 points).

With 1468.4 points, Morocco maintains its position as leader of the African ranking, followed by Egypt (37th), Libya (46th), South Africa (49th, up 2) and Angola (58th).

Concerning the world Top 5, Brazil remains first ahead of Portugal by over 100 points. Spain (3rd, +1) has overtaken Argentina (4th, -1), while Iran (5th, +1) and Morocco (6th, +1) have also progressed at the expense of Kazakhstan (7th, -2).

Meanwhile, Poland (19th, +3) and Armenia (20th, +11) make their first appearance in the top 20.

In addition to Armenia, several teams have improved their ranking by more than 10 places since last October: Bosnia-Herzegovina (36th, +12), Andorra (55th, +13), Latvia (60th, up 11) and Greece (88th, +19).

With regards to women’s Futsal ranking, also published by FIFA, Morocco ascended through 18 spots to become one of the top-ranked nations.

Now ranked 47th worldwide, the Moroccan women’s national team tops the African ranking, followed by Senegal, 78th (+753 points).

The first-ever Women Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Morocco from April 22 to 30, 2025, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Monday.

The CAF Executive Committee, chaired by Patrice Motsepe, convened in Rabat to finalize the tournament dates. “The opening match will be on Tuesday, 22 April 2025 and final match will be played on Wednesday, 30 April 2025”, CAF stated on its official website.

Two finalists in the competition will qualify for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in Philippines in November/December 2025, CAF added.

The committee also announced adjusted dates for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Originally scheduled for 2024, the tournament will now begin on August 2, 2025, and conclude with the final on August 30, 2025. CAF explained the change was made “to optimize the organization and competitiveness of the tournament.”

Further, CAF approved an expanded format for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), also set to take place in Morocco. The number of participating teams will increase from 12 to 16, which CAF described as “a significant step forward for the inclusion and development of young talents across the continent.”

CAF also announced the launch of tender processes for hosting rights for several upcoming tournaments, including the CAF Women’s Champions League (2025, 2026, 2027), the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (2026, 2027, 2028), and the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (2027, 2029, 2031).

Morocco earned Friday the 7th place in the International Federation of Association Football’s (FIFA) world ranking.

With a total of 1,476.25 points, Morocco, quarter-finalist at the 2024 World Cup in Uzbekistan, leads African and Arab teams.

Brazil, recently crowned world champion, strengthened its lead, widening the gap with Portugal. 

Top 10 :

1- Brazil

1650.75 pts

2- Portugal

1546.33 pts

3- Argentina

1520.59 pts  

4-Spain

1517 pts  

5- Kazakhstan

1500.09 pts       

6- Iran

1495.74 pts   

7- Morocco

1476.25 pts

8- Russia

1405.29 pts    

9- Ukraine

1375.21 pts

10- France

1367.67 pts.

Morocco’s national futsal team was eliminated in the quarter finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after losing to Brazil (1-3) on Sunday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

Brazil’s three goals came from Marcel (12’), Leandro Lino (18’) and Dyego (29’) before Otmane Boumezou managed to nick a consolation goal for the Moroccan team in the 35th minute.

Morocco had finished the group phase in second place behind Portugal, having won twice and lost once to the reigning world champions. The Atlas Lions went on to defeat Iran (4-3) in the Round of 16.

 Morocco’s futsal team advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Futsal World Cup after a hard-fought 4-3 win against Iran on Thursday at the Universal Sports Complex in Bukhara.

   Iran took an early lead through Mohammadhossein Derakhshani in the 4th minute, but Morocco responded swiftly, with Khalid Bouzid equalizing in the 7th minute. An own goal by Iran’s Alireza Rafieipour in the 11th minute handed Morocco the advantage, followed by goals from Soufiane El Mesrar (17th minute) and Idriss Raiss El Fenni (20th minute), pushing the score to 4-1 by halftime.

   In the second half, Iran rallied with quick goals from Hossein Taybi (21st minute) and Moslem Oladghobad (22nd minute), narrowing the deficit to 4-3. However, Morocco’s defense held firm, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

   Morocco will face Brazil on Sunday in Bukhara, to secure their spot in the semis for the first time in their history.

Morocco’s futsal team suffered a 4-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday in their final Group E match of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, held in Uzbekistan. Despite the loss, Morocco finished second in the group and advanced to the round of 16.

Portugal took an early lead with Erick scoring in the 2nd minute, followed by a double from Bruno Coelho, who netted a penalty in the 18th minute and added another just after halftime in the 21st minute. Zicky sealed the victory with a goal in the 38th minute.

Morocco’s lone goal came in the 33rd minute when Soufiane El Mesrar found the net, narrowing the deficit.

Hicham Dguig’s squad secured their place in the knockout stage after winning their first two matches against Tajikistan (4-2) and Panama (6-3).