- Russia and Portugal return to the FIFA Futsal World Cup
- Both reached the final four at the 2016 edition
- Four more global finals berths on the line in Europe
Two of the top four finishers from Colombia 2016, Russia and Portugal, have booked places at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2020™ after securing first place in their respective UEFA Elite Round groups.
In Group C, the Russians beat Slovakia (7-1), lost to Azerbaijan (4-3) but bounced back with a 4-3 victory over Croatia, seizing the group’s top spot and with it, a place at the global finals.
Over in Group A Portugal went unbeaten, beginning with a win over Belarus (2-1), followed by a draw against group runners-up Finland (2-2) and then a decisive 4-1 triumph versus Italy to punch their World Cup ticket.
Two more Futsal World Cup berths will be won in Groups B and D in the UEFA Elite Round.
Finland and Croatia, who finished second in Groups A and C, respectively, still have a chance to secure a Futsal World Cup berth. In the play-off round from 9-12 April, the four runners-up will vie for the last two UEFA qualifying places.
Russia and Portugal join hosts Lithuania at the tournament. Four of the 24 teams competing at Lithuania 2020 have now been determined with Solomon Islands having booked their passage at the 2019 OFC Futsal Nations Cup.
Lithuania 2020 will mark Russia’s seventh Futsal World Cup and Portugal’s sixth. Russia’s best finish came in the 2016 edition where they earned a silver medal after losing out to Argentina in the Final. Semi-finalists in 2016, Portugal’s only superior performance came in 2000, when they finished in third place.
