The organization reiterates its intention in the council; the participants of the five Brazilian titles share expectations
THE Brazil try the sixth futsal world title this Sunday, 6, against Argentinaat 12pm (Brasilia time), in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Sport decides the World Cup while experiencing turmoil behind the scenes. THE FIFA reiterated, in the council meeting last Thursday, its intention to recommend to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the inclusion of futsal and the football on the beach in the Olympic program.
FIFA’s desire to include sport in the Olympics had already become public in 2023, when the entity’s strategic plan for the period from 2023 to 2027 was launched. It is also suggested to increase the number of participants in women’s football from 12 to 16 teams, just like the men’s team.
Is futsal an Olympic sport?
Yes, futsal is considered an Olympic sport. This does not mean that sport is part of the Games. To be considered “Olympic”, the sport must be governed by an International Federation and comply with the anti-doping code and the Olympic Charter, which defines the IOC rules. Furthermore, the sport must be played by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.
Futsal meets the requirements. The relationship between FIFA and the IOC, however, is not the best. The football entity has little representation in Committee meetings. The idea of suggesting the inclusion of modalities goes against the way the two organisms have interacted up until then.
One of FIFA’s fears was the devaluation of the Futsal World Cup, which takes place in the same years as the Olympics, starting from 1992. The first edition organized by the body dates back to 1989. Previously, the sport responded to the Fifusa (International Federation of Indoor Football) ), extinct in 2004 and without the same powers as FIFA.
When will futsal be at the Olympics?
Futsal was chosen by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) as the modality for the 2007 Rio Pan American Games. The country won the gold medal in the final against Argentina, which they won 4-1. However, the sport did not continue the next editions and did not enter the list of modalities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In 2018, futsal replaced football at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. Brazil won gold again, but this time against Russia, they won 4-1 in the final.
For Los Angeles-2028, the IOC has already confirmed six new competitions. Cricket, baseball (which was in Tokyo 2020), softball, squash, lacrosse and flag football (a variant of American football) will be included. There is no prediction that futsal and beach soccer will feature in the next Olympic Games.
Brazil world titles in futsal
- Fifusa/AMF World Cup: 1982
- FIFA World Cup: 1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012.
Source: Terra
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