Canada Soccer names roster for inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in late April

Canada Soccer has officially announced the roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Women’s Futsal Championship, set to take place from April 28 to May 4 in Guatemala. The tournament will feature nine teams competing at the Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City to determine the first-ever women’s futsal champion in the region. The top two teams from the championship will qualify for the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup later this year in the Philippines.

The Canadian roster includes players from various clubs across the country. Notably, Jadyn Steinhauer, Jade Houmphanh, and Erika Hindmarsh are representing the Canadian champion SK Impact FC from Saskatoon, while Shayla He joins from the runner-up FC Underdogs of Montreal. Additionally, four players from Quebec’s Xtreme FCL have made the cut for the national team.

Futsal is a fast-paced indoor game played with five players on each side, featuring two 20-minute halves and allowing for changes on the fly, similar to hockey. Canada has been drawn in Group B alongside the United States, Costa Rica, and the winner of a play-in match between Honduras and Nicaragua. The team will kick off their campaign against Costa Rica on April 29 before facing the winner of the play-in match and the United States.

Head coach Alexandre Da Rocha expressed his excitement for the tournament, stating, “It’s a unique chance to measure ourselves against the best in CONCACAF and see how far we’ve come.” Da Rocha, who previously coached Quebec’s women’s futsal team and served as an assistant coach with the Canadian men’s futsal side, is confident in the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.

Female futsal players have long advocated for a FIFA championship, with the International Women’s Futsal Players Association criticizing FIFA’s lack of attention towards women’s futsal. While the men’s Futsal World Cup has been held since 1989, the women’s game is finally getting the recognition it deserves with the upcoming tournament in Guatemala and the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.

The Canadian team is composed of talented players in various positions, including goalkeepers, fixos, ala, and pivo players. With a mix of experience and youth, the team aims to make a strong impression in the CONCACAF Women’s Futsal Championship and secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup.

As Canada prepares to compete against the best teams in the region, fans are eagerly anticipating the team’s performance and hoping for a successful campaign in Guatemala. With a talented roster and dedicated coaching staff, the Canadian women’s futsal team is ready to showcase their skills on the international stage and make a mark in the history of the sport.