Spanish Futsal Team Embarks on Euro Cup Qualification with New Leadership
The Spanish national futsal team faces a critical moment as they begin their qualification journey for the 2026 European Championship. Marking a pivotal transition for the squad. Following a disappointing exit in the World Cup against Venezuela, the team now turns its attention to rebuilding and proving its continued dominance in international futsal.
Jesús Velasco’s recent appointment as national coach comes at a crucial time, taking over from Fede Vidal with minimal preparation. His rapid integration was highlighted by an impressive friendly victory against Portugal, where a goal by Esteban demonstrated the team’s potential for quick adaptation.
Tonight’s match in Bern, Switzerland, carries significant weight for the Spanish squad. With the last European Championship victory dating back to 2016 – a memorable 3-7 triumph against Russia in Belgrade – the team is eager to reclaim its former glory. The upcoming qualifying group presents a challenging path, featuring matches against Switzerland (ranked 119th), Bosnia Herzegovina (48th), and England (82nd).
FIFA ranking
As a top-four team in the FIFA rankings, Spain enters the qualification phase with high expectations. Velasco is carefully crafting the team. Working with preliminary lists of 30 players to ultimately select the final 14-man squad that will compete in Latvia and Lithuania.
The coach remains optimistic and pragmatic about the upcoming match. “We’re focused on playing close to their area and understanding the nuances of the playing surface,” Velasco commented. The uncertainty surrounding the Swiss team’s playing style adds an extra layer of complexity to the upcoming encounter.
The team’s current mood is notably positive. Velasco highlighted the players’ high level of commitment and enthusiasm, stating, “I’ve seen maximum involvement from the team. Everyone is eager to take the field.”
With the match set to be broadcasted, futsal fans will be watching closely as Spain takes its first step towards potentially securing a spot in the 2026 European Championship.
