Canada names 14-player roster for inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup

Goalkeeper Lea Palacio and forward Esther Brossard will lead Canada at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup later this month in the Philippines.

The 16-team tournament runs Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila, with Canada drawn in a challenging Group B alongside Spain, Thailand and Colombia.

Spain has won all three editions of the UEFA Women's Futsal Championship while Thailand was runner-up at the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup in May. Colombia finished third at the CONMEBOL Championship in March.

But Canada turned heads by winning the first-ever CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in dramatic fashion earlier this year in Guatemala.

Canada booked its ticket to the World Cup by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout to reach the final of the eight-team event in Guatemala City. Canada then downed Panama 8-2 in the May 4 championship game.

Canada and Panama will represent the region at the World Cup.

Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly.

Canada coach Alexandre Da Rocha's 14-player World Cup roster includes 12 returnees from the CONCACAF campaign. They include Palacio, named Best Goalkeeper at the CONCACAF Championship, and Brossard, who was named Best Player after leading the tournament with eight goals.

The additions are defender Katerine Delev and forward Magali Gagne.

"Representing Canada on the world stage is a tremendous honour and this roster reflects the growth and commitment of our futsal community across the country," Da Rocha said in a statement. "We've built on the foundation laid earlier this year and are focused on competing with courage, staying true to our identity, and making Canadians proud."

The team leaves for