The schedule for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia will take shape on May 19 after the draw to be held in the city of Medellin.
The tournament will have some debut countries: Azerbaijan (Europe), Mozambique (Africa) and Uzbekistan and Vietnam (Asia) who dream of lifting the trophy like their South American counterparts. Here we review how the South American teams got to this point.
Brazil, has five titles under their belt, making them the most decorated squad in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup where they have not missed any edition.
The team won the title in the Netherlands 1989, Hong Kong 1992 and Spain 1996. Spain put an end to their run in Guatemala 2000 and in the semifinals in Taipei 2004 the Brazilians placed 3rd. However they regained the title at home in 2008, and again in Thailand 2012.
Argentina, the Albiceleste have not missed an edition and have always reached the final phase of the tournament, and honor they share with five-time champion Brazil two-time world champion Spain. Their best performance to date was Taipei 2004, where they finished fourth. Except Spain in 1996, they have always passed on from at least the first group stage. In Thailand 2012 they fell in the quarterfinals at the hands of champion Brazil and finished 7th.
Paraguay, Colombia 2016 will mark the fourth consecutive appearance for the Paraguayans and sixth overall. They are the third South American team with the most appearances, having just missed out of Spain 1996 and Guatemala 2000. Their best performance was the inaugural edition in the Netherlands 1989 when they finished 6th. In Thailand 2012 they reached the round of 16.
Colombia, Thailand 2012 is the only history that Colombia has in the final phase. To everyone's surprise, the Cafeteros finished second in their area, then went on to defeat Iran in the round of 16 and Ukraine in the quarters. Brazil stopped them in the semifinals and they would fall to Italy in the match for third place.
The draw will be held on May 19 in the Plaza Mayor Convention Center starting at 6:00 pm where the guests include Colombians Juan Pablo Angel and David Ospina, plus stars of futsal such as Falcão, who is preparing to play his fifth world Cup, and former world champions Kike and Marquinho.
CONMEBOL.com
With information from FIFA.com
