Seychelles is set to make history as host of the 13th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, scheduled to take place from 1 to 11 May 2025. The much-anticipated tournament marks a dual milestone: the first-ever FIFA World Cup event to be held in the island nation and the first edition of the Beach Soccer World Cup to be staged on African soil.
The official draw ceremony, held at the International Conference Centre Seychelles in Victoria, was presided over by President Wavel Ramkalawan, with Vice President Ahmed Afif also in attendance. As guest of honour, President Ramkalawan oversaw the allocation of the 16 qualified teams into four competitive groups, who will compete in custom-built arenas along the pristine beaches of Mahé Island.
In his keynote address, President Ramkalawan expressed deep national pride at Seychelles’ selection as host, stating,“This event represents more than just a tournament; it symbolizes the unity, strength of spirit, and resilience of our nation and a commitment to promoting the global game of football.”
He went on to acknowledge the collective effort behind the preparations: “Seychelles stands ready to host the world and celebrate football, sportsmanship, fair play, and the unifying power of the game.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, reflecting on the tournament’s wider significance, described it as“a tournament of firsts ,the first to be staged in Seychelles and the first FIFA World Cup to be held in Africa.”
He further underlined the broader vision for the event, stating, “As Seychelles seizes the opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle among its citizens and environmental sustainability, FIFA stands committed to that cause.”
Infantino concluded with a note of excitement:
“This will be a tournament of excitement and goals played in a tropical paradise.”
The group stage draw yielded the following configuration:
The ceremony was attended by senior FIFA officials, representatives of the participating nations, and distinguished guests, all of whom gathered to witness the formal unveiling of what promises to be a landmark sporting event in the Indian Ocean region, one that will leave an indelible mark on both the nation and the sport.