FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Dubai

FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke announced on Sunday that the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 will be held in Dubai. It was also announced that the 2008 event will be held in Marseilles. The French tournament will be the first time the competition will be held outside its birthplace of Brazil.

Mattar Al Tayer, Vice-President of the Dubai Sports Council said, ‘We are privileged to be selected as host city of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009. It’s a dream come true for the UAE. It will be a great honour for us to stage an official FIFA competition for the second time, having already hosted what is now the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2003. Dubai is known for hosting international events with distinction and we will ensure that the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2009 will be an unforgettable occasion for all.’