For 32 teams from six continents, the most important football action will be happening in Dubai not Brazil this weekend as the inaugural F5WC – The World Football Five’s – comes to a conclusion at the World Trade Centre.
Following Wednesday’s draw for the group stage of the finals, there will be some intriguing match-ups. European neighbours, England and Ireland, have been placed together in Group A while Germany and Ghana were drawn together in Group C, mirroring their fate in the World Cup.
Brazil, meanwhile, were put into Group G alongside Wales, Denmark and Qatar. The UAE – represented by Skydive Dubai – were drawn in Group H and will face Spain, Hong Kong and Nigeria.
This weekend’s tournament is the culmination of six months of regional qualifying rounds in the 32 participating countries. More than 100,000 five-a-side teams entered the competition, but only one competing side from each could claim an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai and the chance to be crowned F5WC champions.
Skydive Dubai won the right to represent the UAE at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex last month after securing a 3-0 win over Football Centre in the final.
For captain Sean O’Shea, the opportunity to test themselves against teams from around the world, in a tournament broadcast live on Dubai Sports, is a dream come true.
“I am incredibly proud to be the captain of the UAE team which will represent the country in the world finals in the host nation,” he said. “We would like to thank F5WC for giving us the opportunity to play in a world event which is broadcast live to millions of people all over the world. Something an amateur footballer has never had the opportunity to do.”
As well as being broadcast live on TV, players will have the chance to impress professional scouts with representatives of a host of top European clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United set to attend.
F5WC may only be in its first year but it has clearly proved successful, with car giant Ford announcing their sponsorship of the event earlier this month.
James Davies-Yandle, director at F5WC, said: “When we thought of the concept of F5WC we imagined it would take two-three years before we could fill what we thought would be its potential. We never knew how big the event would become in year one. Ford coming on board has been an enormous help.”
FRIDAY'S SCHEDULE
Play starts at 10:00
Pitch 1
England v Ireland – Group A
Germany v Sweden – C
South Africa v Saudi Arabia – A
Ghana v Jordan – C
England v South Africa – A
Germany v Ghana – C
Singapore v Australia – B
India v Estonia – D
Romania v Australia – B
Syria v Estonia – D
Singapore v Mexico – B
India v USA – D
Pitch 2
Mexico v Australia – B
USA v Estonia – D
Romania v Singapore – B
Syria v India – D
Mexico v Romania – B
USA v Syria – D
Saudi Arabia v Ireland – A
Jordan v Sweden – C
South Africa v Ireland – A
Ghana v Sweden – C
Saudi Arabia v England – A
Jordan v Germany – C
From 15:00
Pitch 1
France v Scotland – E
Brazil v Wales – G
Uruguay v Lebanon – E
Denmark v Qatar – G
France v Uruguay – E
Brazil v Denmark – G
Egypt v Finland – F
UAE v Hong Kong – H
Philippines v Finland – F
Nigeria v Hong Kong – H
Egypt v Portugal – F
UAE v Spain – H
Pitch 2
Portugal v Finland – F
Spain v Hong Kong – H
Philippines v Egypt – F
Nigeria v UAE – H
Portugal v Philippines – F
Spain v Nigeria – H
Lebanon v Scotland – E
Qatar v Wales – G
Uruguay v Scotland – E
Denmark v Wales – G
Lebanon v France – E
Qatar v Brazil – G
