The road to Lithuania in 2020 has begun as the preliminary round runs until Friday with 32 teams competing in eight groups for last 16 main-round berths.
Qualifying for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup began on Tuesday with the preliminary round involving 32 of the record European entry of 49, aiming for six places alongside hosts Lithuania in the 24-team finals.
Preliminary round groups
Group A (30 January–2 February): Latvia*, England, Cyprus, Gibraltar
Group B (30 January–2 February): Belarus*, Norway, Kosovo, Andorra
Group C (31 January–3 February): FYR Macedonia*, Albania, Greece, San Marino
Group D (30 January–2 February): Georgia*, Denmark, Germany, Israel
Group E (30 January–2 February): Belgium, Sweden*, Armenia, Malta
Group F (29 January–1 February): Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Turkey, Switzerland, Scotland
Group G (30 January–2 February): Netherlands, Montenegro, Bulgaria*, Estonia
Group H (30 January–2 February): Finland, Moldova*, Wales, Northern Ireland
*hosts
- The top two teams in each group will progress to the main round.
- There are World Cup debuts for Germany, Kosovo and Scotland, plus Northern Ireland, making their bow in any international men’s futsal competition.
Main round draw (22–27 October)
Group 1: Spain, Poland*, Preliminary round Group D winners, Preliminary round Group H runners-up
Group 2: Ukraine*, Slovenia, Preliminary round Group C winners, Preliminary round Group B runners-up
Group 3: Azerbaijan*, Slovakia, Preliminary round Group H winners, Preliminary round Group G runners-up
Group 4: Italy*, Hungary, Preliminary round Group B winners, Preliminary round Group A runners-up
Group 5: Kazakhstan, Romania*, Preliminary round Group G winners, Preliminary round Group C runners-up
Group 6: Serbia, France*, Preliminary round Group E winners, Preliminary round Group F runners-up
Group 7: Russia, Croatia*, Preliminary round Group F winners, Preliminary round Group E runners-up
Group 8: Portugal*, Czech Republic, Preliminary round Group A winners, Preliminary round Group D runners-up
*hosts
- The top two teams in each group will progress to the elite round.
- Spain have qualified for all eight previous World Cups and won in 2000 and 2004.
- Russia lost the 2016 final to Argentina.
- Portugal are the reigning European champions.
Road to Lithuania: calendar
Elite round draw: 7 November 2019
Elite round: 28 January–2 February 2020
Play-off draw: tbc, Nyon
Play-offs: 9 & 12 April 2020
Finals draw: tbc, Lithuania
Finals: 12 September–4 October 2020, Lithuania
Link: https://www.uefa.com
