Durban to host 2009 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier Durban in July

Durban will host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 Qualifier for a fourth year in succession when a record number of African nations compete for the two places at the global beach soccer showcase.

The tournament will host nine African nations, and will be played at the state-of-the-art beach soccer stadium at New Beach on Durban’s Golden Mile from 1 to 5 July 2009.

The sports global governing body has confirmed the participation of defending champions Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mauritius, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the host South Africa.

The nine team entry will necessitate a different format to that used for the first three editions of the African continental qualifier, with the teams divided into three pools. The winners of each pool will advance to the finals automatically, with the best placed second placed team securing the last place in the semi-final line-up.

The competition on the beaches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Host City will be the fourth of six qualifying events in all confederations, culminating in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 to take place in Dubai from November 16-22.

Cameroon and Senegal represented Africa at last year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Marseilles, which was won by the global pacesetters of the sport, Brazil.

Senegal provided one of the tournaments biggest upsets, beating the fourth seeded French side in their first match of the tournament.

Durban’s reputation as the beach soccer capital of Africa has been cemented by hosting the continental showcase for four successive years, entrenching the city’s positioning as Africa’s Sports Capital.

“We are delighted to be hosting this tournament once again,” said Durban’s municipal manager Dr. Michael Sutcliffe.

“The facilities that we provide at New Beach are recognised as being world class, and the tournament gives us a great opportunity to showcase our beautiful beachfront to a massive international audience that will be watching the matches on television.”

The draw for the tournament will be conducted by Beach Soccer Worldwide this weekend, during the European qualifying tournament that is currently under way in the Spanish city of Castellon.