While dreams of glory are one thing, and harsh reality another, is daring to dream and risking failure not the first step to success? One man who has certainly set his sights high ahead of the forthcoming FIFA Futsal World Cup is Argentina coach Fabian Lopez, whose gifted charges kick off their campaign against China on 30 September in the Brazilian capital Brasilia.

The 20 participating nations at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008 received a taste of things to come today, when the city of Brasilia hosted the Final Draw for the tournment. The ceremony took place at the Ulysses Guimaraes Convention Centre and involved Federal District governor Jose Roberto Arruda, Sports and Tourism Secretary Marcia Lins, and FIFA Director of Competitions, Jim Brown, among other officials. Also in attendance were some of the futsal's most esteemed figures, including the Brazilians Manoel Tobias, voted Player of the Tournament at Spain 1996 and Guatemala 2000, and Jorginho, winner of that same award at Hong Kong 1992.

Final Draw results
Group A: Brazil, Russia, Japan, Cuba, Solomon Islands
Group B: Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay, USA
Group C: Argentina, Ukraine, China PR, Guatemala, Egypt
Group D: Spain, Czech Republic, Iran, Uruguay, Libya

Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay have advanced to the semi-finals of the Futsal Copa America, and have thereby secured qualification for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008. Three places were on offer to nations from South America, with Brazil already taking part as hosts.

The Charruas, hosts of the South American event, were the first to book their passage, when they defeated Ecuador 4-2 on Tuesday and thus assured themselves of a top-two finish in Group C, the only four-team group. Despite losing to eventual group winners Brazil 8-1 on the final day of the opening phase, Uruguay had done enough to qualify for this year's world finals.

Argentina and Paraguay, meanwhile, had to wait until Wednesday to make sure of their qualification for Brazil. The Albicestes topped Group A by disposing of Venezuela 3-0, while the Guaraníes destroyed Peru 6-1 to finish on top of Group B.

On Friday, in the semi-finals, Brazil will take on defending champions Argentina, while Paraguay will face Uruguay. The final will take place next Saturday in the city of Mercedes.

The 20 participants in the sixth edition of the Futsal world championship, which will take place in the cities of Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro between 30 September and 19 October of this year, are now known.


They are: Brazil (hosts), Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay (South America); Cuba, Guatemala, USA (North, Central America and Caribbean); Thailand, Iran, China, Japan (Asia); Egypt, Libya (África); Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, Italy, Czech Republic (Europe); Solomon Islands (Oceania).

The draw will take place on 10 July in Brasilia.