For those of you that are unaware the FIFA World Futsal Cup gets underway in Brazil from 30 September to 19 October 2008. The tournament will represent the 6th FIFA World Futsal Cup since the event was established in the Netherlands in 1989 with 16 nations competing. As it stands Brazil have won the World Cup 3 times with Spain picking up the last two tournaments including the last in Taipei in 2004. This years World Cup will see 20 nations competing.

So who are the favourites to make it through the group stages at Brazil 2008?

Group A:
Teams: Brazil, Russia, Japan, Cuba and Solomon Islands.
Without question, Brazil are the overwhelming favourites to finish top of this section. A cursory glance at their tournament record and current form is proof of that, but if you factor in home advantage, you get a team that will be extremely tough to beat. Russia looks a strong candidate to join them in the next round, particularly after their third-place finish at the last European Championship. However, the recent progress of Japan and Cuba mean the European side may not have things all their own way. Solomon Islands, for their part, have made the long journey more in hope than expectation and know that valuable experience could be their sole reward on this occasion.

Group B:
Teams: Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay, USA.
With the exception of Spain, their bogey team since 2003, Italy have had the upper hand over their continental counterparts in recent times, and thus can be expected to progress from their section without undue difficulty. As for the rest of the group, an experienced Portugal look to be a notch above a revitalised Paraguay, although they will have to be at their very best to demonstrate it. Nor should USA or Thailand be dismissed out of hand. Both will be hoping to put into practice the lessons learned at Chinese Taipei 2004 and cause an upset or two this time around.


Group C:
Teams: Argentina, Ukraine, China PR, Guatemala, Egypt.
After finishing fourth last time out on Asian soil, Argentina have been closing the gap on neighbours Brazil without ever genuinely threatening their hegemony. None the less, they should have enough quality to top a group without a clear candidate for second place. Guatemala return to the world stage with a regional title under their belts, something neither battle-hardened Egypt nor unfancied China PR could manage this year. Last but not least are Ukraine, who can dazzle or disappoint on their day, and if it is the former we see at Brazil 2008, they will most certainly have a say in proceedings.

Group D:
Teams: Spain, Czech Republic, Iran, Uruguay, Libya.
Despite having been drawn in the toughest group of the finals, defending champions Spain have such pedigree in this discipline that they remain favourites to win their section. That said, they will need to be especially careful with their group rivals, all of whom will fancy their chances of joining the Iberians in the next round. Iran may have yet to scale the heights outside Asia, where they remain the team to beat, but they have demonstrated in the past they can surprise anyone on their day. Uruguay showed what a steady side they were at the recent Copa America, where they finished runners-up to Brazil, while a much-improved Czech Republic still need to show they are capable of taking the next step, as do a very eager Libya.

For further information please visit
http://www.fifa.com/futsalworldcup/index.html

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