Morocco has emerged as the leading candidate to host the 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup, raising the prospect of the tournament being staged in Africa for the first time.

Specialist futsal outlet Futsalia reported that FIFA is favourably disposed towards Morocco’s bid, with the North African country understood to be ahead of Indonesia and Spain in the race to host the 24-team tournament.  

However, FIFA has yet to officially announce Morocco as the host, meaning the latest reports remain unconfirmed.

The 2028 FIFA Futsal World Cup is scheduled to take place from October 7 to 29, 2028. FIFA officially confirmed the dates as part of its 2025–2028 international futsal calendar.  

Morocco’s growing profile in international futsal has strengthened its hosting ambitions. The country has staged the Futsal Africa Cup of Nations in recent editions, including the 2024 and 2026 tournaments in Rabat.

The Atlas Lions have also established themselves as one of Africa’s strongest futsal nations, winning the continental championship in 2016, 2020, 2024 and 2026.  

Morocco defeated Angola 5-2 in the 2026 final in Rabat to retain the continental title and complete four successive AFCON Futsal triumphs.

The North Africans have also reached the quarter-finals of the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups, in Lithuania in 2021 and Uzbekistan in 2024, losing to eventual champions Brazil on both occasions.  

Morocco had previously been considered for the hosting rights of the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, but FIFA eventually awarded the tournament to Uzbekistan.

The country subsequently renewed its interest in hosting the 2028 edition.

Reports indicate that Indonesia has also expressed interest, while Spain has recently reiterated its willingness to host major international futsal competitions. Other potential bids have been mentioned, but the complete list of confirmed candidates has not been publicly established.  

If selected, Morocco would become the first African country to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup since the competition began in 1989.

The reported bid would also further underline Morocco’s growing reputation as a host of major international football competitions.

For now, however, the hosting decision remains pending, with FIFA yet to formally announce the venue for the 2028 tournament.