The 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday, 1 May, at the Paradise Arena in Victoria, Seychelles, marking a historic milestone as the first-ever edition of the tournament hosted on African soil.
Host country Seychelles and fellow African debutants Mauritania both suffered opening-day defeats, but the festive atmosphere and spirited performances ensured the occasion was one of celebration and pride.
The tournament opened in grand fashion with a vibrant ceremony featuring traditional music and dance, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the island nation. The event was graced by notable figures, including President of the Republic of Seychelles, His Excellency Wavel Ramkalawan, and CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, who hailed the competition as a significant step for African football on the global stage.
President Ramkalawan, welcoming fans and teams from around the world, remarked, “Hosting this World Cup is not just an honour for Seychelles but a proud moment for all of Africa. We are ready to show the world the spirit and hospitality of our people.” CAF President Motsepe added.
“This is a turning point for African football. We believe in the potential of beach soccer and its power to inspire youth across the continent.”
Sixteen teams from six confederations are participating in this year’s edition, which runs until 11 May. The opening matches provided thrilling action and showcased the high calibre of global talent competing on the sands of Victoria.
In their Group A opener, hosts Seychelles started strong, with Rémy de Ketelaere scoring in the first period. However, Belarus responded quickly as Artsemi Drozd scored twice to take the lead. Despite goals from Brandon Labrosse and Terrence Amade, Seychelles could not hold off the Belarusian attack. Drozd completed his hat-trick and Belarus added two more in the third period, sealing a 6–3 win.
In the other Group A match, Japan comfortably defeated Guatemala 6–2, with a dominant performance that highlighted their experience in the sport.
Group B saw another African representative, Mauritania, take on Iran in a nine-goal thriller. Despite falling behind 5–1, Mauritania mounted a spirited comeback, led by a hat-trick from Cheikh Belkheir and a goal from Ahmedou Bilal. Their efforts fell just short, as Iran, bronze medallists from the 2024 edition, edged the match 5–4.
The day’s final encounter featured a high-scoring spectacle between Portugal and Paraguay, ending 11–9 in favour of the Portuguese.
Looking ahead, African champions Senegal are set to launch their Group C campaign against Spain on Friday at 20:30 local time (16:30 GMT), in what promises to be another headline fixture. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
Fans around the world can stream all matches live and free on FIFA+, ensuring global access to this historic edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
As Seychelles proudly hosts the world, the 2025 tournament stands as a celebration not just of sport, but of African hospitality, resilience, and the growing influence of beach soccer across the continent.
