Canada has announced its 14-player roster for the nation’s first-ever appearance at the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, set to take place from November 21 to December 7 in the Philippines.
Led by goalkeeper Léa Palacio and star forward Esther Brossard, the Canadian squad will face a tough challenge in Group B, which includes Spain, Thailand, and Colombia. Spain enters the tournament as the reigning European champion, Thailand was runner-up at the Asian Cup in May, and Colombia claimed third place in South America’s continental competition earlier this year.
The Canadian team, however, is riding high after an impressive victory at the inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in Guatemala, where it stunned the region with back-to-back wins in May. Canada secured its World Cup berth after defeating Mexico in a tense penalty shootout before overpowering Panama 8-2 in the championship final. Both nations will now represent North and Central America on the global stage.
“I think we made our country proud by qualifying in the way we did,” said head coach Alexandre Da Rocha. “Now, we want to ride that same wave and make sure Canadians are proud of the way we play, regardless of results.”
The World Cup marks a major milestone for women’s futsal — a fast-paced, five-a-side indoor version of soccer played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, substitutions happen on the fly, creating an intense, high-energy game that rewards technical skill and quick decision-making.
Canada’s roster features 12 returning players from its CONCACAF-winning lineup, including Palacio, who was named Best Goalkeeper, and Brossard, who earned Best Player honors after leading the tournament with eight goals. New additions to the squad include defender Katerine Delev and forward Magali Gagné.
The team will depart for the Philippines next week for a pre-tournament training camp, with friendly matches scheduled against Poland, Argentina, and the host nation before opening group play against Colombia on November 22. The Canadians will then face Thailand on November 25 and powerhouse Spain on November 28.
Canada’s participation is a historic moment for women’s futsal, a sport that has long fought for global recognition. After years of advocacy from players and federations, FIFA finally launched the women’s competition — nearly four decades after hosting the first men’s futsal world championship in 1989.
Da Rocha says the team’s journey is about more than wins and losses: it’s about visibility and progress. “These players are trailblazers,” he said. “They’re not just representing Canada — they’re representing the next generation of girls who will grow up knowing that a world stage exists for them too.”