Goalkeeper Lea Palacio and forward Esther Brossard have been chosen to lead Canada in the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup in the Philippines. The tournament, featuring 16 teams, will take place from November 21 to December 7 in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila. Canada is placed in Group B, alongside Spain, Thailand, and Colombia.
Spain, the reigning champion of the UEFA Women’s Futsal Championship, will be a tough opponent, as well as Thailand and Colombia, who have had notable performances in recent regional championships. Canada made headlines earlier this year by clinching the CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in a thrilling manner in Guatemala.
Canada secured their spot in the World Cup after defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout during the CONCACAF Championship. They proceeded to claim victory over Panama in the final match. Coach Alexandre Da Rocha expressed pride in the team’s qualification and hopes to maintain that momentum in the upcoming tournament.
Futsal, a fast-paced indoor sport played with five players on each team, will see Canada fielding a roster of 14 players for the World Cup. The team, including standout performers Palacio and Brossard, will depart for the Philippines next week for a pre-tournament training camp.
The Canadian squad will face tough competition in their group stage matches against Colombia, Thailand, and Spain. To prepare, they will engage in friendly matches against Poland, the Philippines, and Argentina. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.
Female futsal players have long advocated for a FIFA women’s championship, with the inaugural event finally taking place this year. The history of futsal in Canada dates back to the 1989 Men’s World Cup, where the team featured notable players like Paul Dolan and Pat Harrington. Canada has participated in several CONCACAF Men’s Futsal Championships, with their best performance being a quarterfinal finish in 2021 and 2024.
The Canadian roster for the upcoming World Cup includes key players like Lea Palacio, Esther Brossard, and newcomers Katerine Delev and Magali Gagne. The team is gearing up for a competitive and exciting tournament in the Philippines.
