The Futsal Whites squad has been named for Aotearoa New Zealand’s first ever FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance, with the 2024 tournament set to get underway from 14 September in Uzbekistan. 

Head coach Marvin Eakins has named 14 players in his squad, with 10 based domestically and four internationally, playing in Australia, England and Spain. 

The full squad is:

Rahan Ali (15 caps/16 goals) Moreland Futsal, Australia
Mike Antamanov (15/1) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Steve Ashby-Peckham (44/17) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jordan Ditfort (26/13) Bloomsbury Futsal, England
Hamish Grey (15/7) Zambú CFS Pinatar, Spain
Oban Hawkins (20/7) Southern United, Aotearoa New Zealand
Miroslav Malivuk (42/23) Palmerston North Marist, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dylan Manickum (66/38) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ethan Martin (15/8) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Adam Paulsen (15/6) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Casey Sharplin (15/5) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Patrick Steele (12/0) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Art Twigg (10/3) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Logan Wisnewski (20/5) Bloomsbury Futsal, England

Qualification for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 marks a huge moment for futsal in Aotearoa, after eight previous qualification campaigns saw the side fall just short.

The team’s qualification success was recently matched by the Futsal Ferns who on Sunday 25 August 2024 defeated Fiji 7-1 to qualify for the first ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, set to be held in the Philippines in 2025. 

Head coach Marvin Eakins is proud to lead the team to the tournament for the very first time:

“Taking a team to the FIFA Futsal World Cup is a massive achievement and the result of years of hard work by the futsal community across the country. 

“This squad represents a great blend of youth and experience, from players who have proudly represented Aotearoa New Zealand in previous campaigns, to newer players for whom this has been their first international activity. 

“This team is united on and off the court and are all passionate about showcasing futsal by performing at the highest level of the game. 

“Futsal’s growth is only going in one direction and it is a privilege to lead this team to the World Cup for the first time.”

Aotearoa New Zealand (FIFA rank 19) have been drawn in Group D at the tournament alongside Libya (FIFA rank 50), Kazakhstan (FIFA rank 8), and Spain (FIFA rank 3). 

The team start against Libya on 15 September (KO 10pm NZT), before facing Spain on 19 September (KO 3am NZT) and Kazakhstan on 22 September (KO 12:30am NZT). 

The teams first two games will be played in Andijan Universal Sports Complex, Andijan, with the final game in Humo Arena, Tashkent. 

The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 can be watched live and free on FIFA+. 

Prior to the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024, the Futsal Whites will travel to Thailand for a warm-up tournament alongside Afghanistan, Guatemala, Kuwait, and Thailand, with travelling reserves Thomas Picken (Firefox Hachioji, Japan), Vaughan Somerville, and Denny Twigg (both Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand) also joining the squad. 

Article added: Wednesday 28 August 2024