Iran to host international Caspian beach soccer tournament

PressTV – Bandar-E Anzali, FIFA Board Member and Vice President of Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) Joan Cusco says the Islamic Republic of Iran would be ready to host the first edition of the international Caspian beach soccer cup within the next six months.

“The tournament will be held around six months from now, and will bring together beach soccer teams from Caspian Sea littoral states,” Cusco said while paying a visit to the northern Iranian port city of Bandar-e Anzali on Friday evening.

The high-profile BSWW official further pointed to the construction of a beach soccer facility in Bandar-e Anzali, noting that the city can well host international events, namely Caspian Tournament.

Earlier, Cusco had praised the efforts being made by the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) and its beach soccer committee.

“Iran is a great example for all the countries in the world. They have not only built one of the strongest National Teams in the world, but also developed a powerful national league with different divisions and great stadiums. They have supported and projected women’s beach soccer, and also introduced different youth categories. I really want to highlight this excellent job”, he said.

Iran men’s national beach soccer team has maintained its place as the best team in Asia and the sixth spot in the world in the latest edition of the Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) rankings.

According to the rankings released by the BSWW, the organization responsible for the founding and growth of the association football derivative sport of beach soccer, the Iranian side accumulated 1,006 points to be named Asia’s best team.

Oman claimed the 8th slot in the global rankings and the second place in Asia with 648 points. The Omanis were followed by the Japanese and Lebanese, who occupied the ninth and 19th spots respectively with 622 and 383 points.

Portugal is the top-ranked beach soccer team in the world with 3,445 points. Russia earned 2,080 points to land in the second position. Third-place Tahitians collected 1,764 points. Italy stood fourth with 1,500 points.