Goalkeeper Lea Palacio and forward Esther Brossard have been appointed as the key figures to lead the Canadian team in the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, set to take place from November 21 to December 7 in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila, Philippines. Canada finds itself in Group B, facing tough competition from Spain, Thailand, and Colombia.
Spain, a dominant force in women’s futsal, has claimed victory in all three UEFA Women’s Futsal Championships. Thailand emerged as the runner-up in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, while Colombia secured a third-place finish at the CONMEBOL Championship earlier this year. Despite this, Canada made a significant mark by clinching the CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in a thrilling manner in Guatemala.
Canada secured its spot in the World Cup by triumphing over Mexico in a penalty shootout during the qualifiers in Guatemala City, subsequently defeating Panama 8-2 in the championship match on May 4. Canada, along with Panama, will represent the region at the global tournament.
Coach Alexandre Da Rocha expressed pride in the team’s qualification process and aims to continue the positive momentum into the World Cup. Futsal, a fast-paced indoor game played with five players on each team, allows for quick substitutions akin to hockey.
The Canadian squad for the World Cup comprises 14 players, with 12 returning from the successful CONCACAF campaign. Notable players include Lea Palacio, recognized as the Best Goalkeeper at the CONCACAF Championship, and Esther Brossard, who stood out as the Best Player with eight goals in the tournament. New additions to the roster are defender Katerine Delev and forward Magali Gagne.
Preparations are underway as the team gears up for the tournament in the Philippines, starting with a pre-tournament camp next week. Canada will kick off its campaign against Colombia on November 22, followed by matches against Thailand on November 25 and Spain on November 28. The team has had limited training opportunities since qualifying, with brief camps held in August and October. Warm-up games against Poland, the Philippines, and Argentina are scheduled.
The tournament features a total of 16 teams divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup is a significant milestone for female futsal players, who have long advocated for such a championship.
While the men’s Futsal World Cup has a rich history, the women’s edition is a new venture by FIFA. Canada last participated in the men’s tournament in 1989 and has made strides in the CONCACAF Men’s Futsal Championship, reaching the quarterfinals in 2021 and 2024.
The Canadian roster for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup includes goalkeepers Lea Palacio and Jadyn Steinhauer, defenders Katerine Delev, Maude Lagace, and Sophie Therien, wingers Stephie-Ann Dadaille, Shayla He, Erica Hindmarsh, Jade Houmphanh, and Erika Pion, and forwards Esther Brossard, Cynthia Gaspar-Freire, Magali Gagne, and Joelle Gosselin.