First Ever Caribbean Host Nation to Welcome Regional Qualifying Tournament for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup at the New Beach Soccer Facility in Nassau, May 8-12

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the Bahamas Football Association and Beach Soccer Worldwide announced today that The Bahamas will host the 2013 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, the qulalifying competition for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, May 8-12, at the recently opened beach soccer facility in Nassau.

“We are excited to host the regional qualifiers for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in The Bahamas,” said CONCACAF President, Jeffrey Webb.  “This rapidly growing sport is of particular relevance for the Caribbean region, given its pristine beach setting and idyllic weather.  We are certain this niche will soon become the region’s staple.”

The winner and runner-up of the competition, which is being hosted for the first time by a Caribbean nation, will qualify directly to the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, September 18-28, at To’ata Stadium in Papeete, Tahiti.

“The Bahamas Football Association is indeed pleased and honored to have been chosen as the hosts for this year’s Qualifier for CONCACAF,” said Anton Sealey, the President of the Bahamas Football Association.  “We are looking forward to hosting our confederation colleagues at our newly built facility located at Malcolm Park in Nassau on the Island of New Providence.  As the first member in the Caribbean to host the event, we are looking forward to a greater number of participants from the Caribbean, taking advantage of the fact that the competition is being held in the Caribbean.  This we hope will result in more of our Caribbean colleagues promoting this exciting brand of football in their respective associations.”

Full details regarding the CONCACAF teams participating in the 2013 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, as well as the official match schedule, will be announced on a later date.

“Taking the World Cup Qualifier to the Caribbean was a necessary step to take,” said Joan Cusco, CEO of Beach Soccer Worldwide.  “There’s a huge beach soccer potential in the region and that was the right moment to make it happen.  The Bahamas is a great example of this, as they built an excellent permanent stadium thus proving a strong commitment with the sport and the possibilities it offers.”

The CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship has been held six times.  Mexico has hosted on four occasions, while Costa Rica and Rio De Janiero, Brazil, staged the event once each.

2010 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico  – Qualified: (1) Mexico and (2) El Salvador

2009 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Qualified: (1) El Salvador and (2) Costa Rica

2008 – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Qualified: (1) Mexico and (2) El Salvador

2007 – Acapulco, Mexico – Qualified: (1) Mexico and (2) USA

2006 – Puntarenas, Costa Rica – Qualified: (1) USA and (2) Canada

2005 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Qualified: USA

The Nassau beach soccer stadium, built at Malcom Park, opened its doors on November 19, 2012, with an international friendly match between The Bahamas and Jamaica,

About CONCACAF

CONCACAF “The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football” is one of six continental confederations of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and serves as the governing body of football in this part of the world. It is composed of 40 national associations, from Canada in the north to Guyana, Surinam and French Guyana in the south.