RICARDINHO: "THIS YEAR WILL BE VERY TIGHT"

Ricardinho, the Portuguese futsal legend and ambassador of the World Futsal Championships, expects Edition XIV to be the most competitive edition yet. "This year will be very tight," he said, pointing to the level of interest the tournament is now drawing from professional clubs around the world.

According to Ricardinho, the pro community has put the World Futsal Championships firmly on its radar. The combination of a $150,000 men's purse, a new $75,000 women's division and a format where every team plays for a title has changed how clubs look at Orlando. Teams that watched from a distance in previous editions are now preparing applications.

Edition XIV takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from July 11 to July 15, 2027, with 24 men's teams and 12 women's teams. Applications are open now. For Ricardinho, the message to clubs is simple: the level is rising, and the window to be part of it is open.