Portugal’s women’s national futsal team has etched their names in history books after securing a remarkable second-place finish at the inaugural 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. The team was officially honored this week for their groundbreaking achievement. Which saw them lose 3-0 to powerhouse Brazil in the final held at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, Philippines, on December 7, 2025.
A Moment of National Pride
Ana Catarina, the Benfica goalkeeper who claimed the tournament’s prestigious Golden Glove award as best goalkeeper, served as one of the team’s spokespeople during the honors ceremony. The 32-year-old veteran, who has been named the world’s best futsal goalkeeper four times (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2024), expressed immense pride in what the team accomplished.
“Above all, it’s a feeling of enormous pride for having elevated our country’s name. As well as Portuguese women’s futsal,” Ana Catarina said during her address. She thanked her 15 teammates who endured “35 or 36 days” together, acknowledging with characteristic humor that she knows she’s not always easy to be around, “especially during training and matches.”
The Road to Silver
Portugal, ranked third in the world, demonstrated their dominance throughout the tournament. In the semifinals, they delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over sixth-ranked Argentina, with standout performances from players like Moreira, Janice Silva, Carolina Pereira, and Kika. The team’s journey to the final showcased the quality and commitment that has made Portuguese women’s futsal a force on the international stage.
The final against top-ranked Brazil proved to be the ultimate test. Despite their best efforts, Portugal couldn’t break through against the Brazilian juggernaut, who claimed the inaugural title with a 3-0 victory in front of 5,087 spectators.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
Ana Catarina’s speech emphasized the collective effort behind Portugal’s historic achievement. She thanked the entire staff for providing the conditions necessary for success and acknowledged Portuguese supporters who “even from a distance, managed to make themselves felt to the maximum.
The goalkeeper also highlighted the significance of creating a Women’s World Cup as a step toward introducing futsal into the Olympic Games. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has repeatedly expressed support for futsal’s Olympic inclusion, stating that FIFA will “continue working with our partners to incorporate futsal and beach football into the Olympic programme”.
The Best Is Yet to Come
Despite the silver medal being a monumental achievement, Ana Catarina made it clear that Portugal’s ambitions extend even further. Echoing words she shared with her teammates, she delivered a powerful message about the team’s future: “We are where we want to be. But we are not yet what we want to be. I know the best of us is still to come.”
This statement reflects the mindset of a goalkeeper who has previously admitted that winning a World Cup is her “biggest dream. One she values more than individual titles or any other collective trophy. For Ana Catarina and her teammates, the silver medal represents not an endpoint, but a launching pad for even greater achievements in women’s futsal.
Portugal’s historic run at the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup has not only brought international recognition to the team. But has also shined a spotlight on the rapidly growing sport of women’s futsal worldwide. As the team looks ahead, one thing is certain: Portuguese women’s futsal has announced itself on the world stage, and this is only the beginning
Marco Falcone