2025 WMF World Cup

2025 WMF World Cup
2025 WMF Dünya Kuboku
Tournament details
Host countryAzerbaijan
Dates21 May – 1 June
Teams32 (from 5 confederations)
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions Azerbaijan (1st title)
Runners-up Hungary
Third place Serbia
Fourth place Montenegro
Tournament statistics
Top scorer(s) Ondřej Paděra (7)
Tiago Lapa (7)
Best player(s) Ramiz Çovdarov
Best goalkeeper Vladimir Bajić
← 2023

The 2025 WMF World Cup is the fifth edition of the WMF World Cup, the biennial world championship for national minifootball teams organized by the World Minifootball Federation (WMF). The tournament is played in Baku in Azerbaijan between 21 May and 1 June 2025.[1] Romania were the defending champions.[2] Hosts Azerbaijan defeated Hungary 4–2 in the final, to win the title.[3]

Venue

All matches will take place at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.[4][5]

Baku
National Gymnastics Arena
Capacity: 9,000

Teams

Participating nations

The tournament will feature 32 teams divided into eight groups. Teams will begin arriving in Baku for the tournament on 19 May.[6] Teams of Bahrain, Chad, Indonesia, Israel, Mauritania, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey and Uzbekistan will compete in the WMF World Cup for the first time.[7]

Qualifying tournament Team Total First Last Previous best performance
African Minifootball Confederation
(2024 African Minifootball Cup) 		 Chad 1st Debut
 Egypt 2nd 2023 Round of 16 (2019)
 Ghana 3rd 2019 2023 Round of 16 (2019)
 Mauritania 1st Debut
 South Africa 2nd 2019 Group stage (2019)
Asian Mini Football Championship  Bahrain 1st Debut
 India 5th 2015 2023 Group stage (2015, 2017, 2019, 2023)
 Thailand 3rd 2019 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 Uzbekistan 1st Debut
European Minifootball Federation  Azerbaijan 2nd 2023 Fourth place (2023)
 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2nd 2017 Round of 16 (2017)
 Bulgaria 2nd 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 Czechia 5th 2015 2023 Champions (2017)
 England 3rd 2019 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 France 3rd 2017 2023 Quarter-finals (2017)
 Georgia 2nd 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 Hungary 4th 2017 2023 Third place (2023)
 Israel 1st Debut
 Kazakhstan 4th 2015 2023 Runners-up (2023)
 Montenegro 2nd 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 Poland 1st Debut
 Portugal 4th 2017 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
 Romania 5th 2015 2023 Champions (2023)
 Serbia 4th 2015 2023 Round of 16 (2019)
 Slovakia 3rd 2019 2023 Quarter-finals (2019, 2023)
 Slovenia 1st Debut
 Spain 3rd 2017 2023 Fourth place (2017)
 Turkey 1st Debut
 Ukraine 3rd 2019 2023 Quarter-finals (2019)
Panamerican Minifootball Federation  Costa Rica 1st 2019 Round of 16 (2019)
 Mexico 5th 2015 2023 Champions (2019)
 United States 5th 2015 2023 Champions (2015)
Wild cards  Argentina 3rd 2017 2019 Group stage (2017, 2019)
 Indonesia 1st Debut
 United Arab Emirates 2nd 2023 Quarter-finals (2023)

Draw

The draw for the group composition was held in Baku on 12 March 2025.[8] The draw ceremony was attended by Qarabağ FK head coach Gurban Gurbanov, Zira FK head coach Rashad Sadigov, former player of the Azerbaijan minifootball team Seymur Mammadov, and Portuguese footballer Nani.[9]

Egypt was eliminated from the tournament and replaced by the United Arab Emirates due to administrative problems, while South Africa was also eliminated and replaced by Argentina due to financial problems.[10] Mexico withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Indonesia.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
 Azerbaijan (Host)
 Romania
 Kazakhstan
 Serbia
 Hungary
 Mexico →  Indonesia
 Czech Republic
 Slovakia 		 Bulgaria
 Montenegro
 United States
 France
 Ukraine
 Georgia
 Mauritania
 Ghana 		 England
 Portugal
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Thailand
 Egypt →  United Arab Emirates
 Chad
 Spain
 Slovenia 		 Poland
 India
 Turkey
 Costa Rica
 Israel
 Bahrain
 Uzbekistan
 South Africa →  Argentina

Opening ceremony

The opening ceremony took place on 21 May at 19:00.[11] It began with the playing of the Azərbaycan marşı. Then, a musical and light show about Azerbaijan was presented. Dancers performed to the accompaniment of rhythmic music. Freestyle artist Sean Garnier demonstrated ball moves at the opening ceremony. Azerbaijani singer Aygun Kazimova and Turkish singer Aleyna Tilki performed a song. After the opening ceremony, the Azerbaijan−Bahrain match was held. Before the match, Azerbaijan national team members Tural Narimanov, Davud Karimi and Seymur Mammadov were presented with a special award in connection with the completion of their careers in the national team.[12]

Records

The Azerbaijan–England match held in the quarterfinals was watched by 7,007 spectators. This figure is the highest attendance ever recorded in the history of the minifootball World and European Championships.[13]

Mascot

The tournament’s mascot is an anthropomorphic deer named "Maralzade". It was introduced to the public during the draw ceremony held on 12 April 2025.[14]

Group stage

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Azerbaijan (H) 3 2 1 0 7 1 +6 7 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Mauritania 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4[a]
3  Bahrain 3 1 1 1 5 4 +1 4[a]
4  Slovenia 3 0 1 2 2 9 −7 1
Source: WMF
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head: Mauritania 2–0 Bahrain
Azerbaijan 1–1 Bahrain
Mirmehdi Rzayev 15' Report
  • Ahmed Antar 25'
Mauritania 1–1 Slovenia
  • Mohamed Vall Kbeiduche 40'
 Report
  • Mario Skuhala 30'
Mauritania 2–0 Bahrain
  • Mohamed Baghayoko 13', 30'
 Report
Slovenia 0–4 Azerbaijan
Report
  • Elvin Əlizadə 10'
  • Mirmehdi Rzayev 11'
  • Xətai Bağırov 25'
  • Kamran Abdullazadə 40'
Bahrain 4–1 Slovenia
  • Ahmed Antar 11'
  • Hasan Ahmed 40'
  • Ali Al-Araibi 44'
  • Salman Muhammad 45'
 Report Zoran Vuković 49'
Azerbaijan 2–0 Mauritania
  • Werzeg Betah 42' (o.g.)
  • Ramiz Çovdarov 50+2'
 Report

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  France 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Romania 3 1 1 1 4 5 −1 4[a]
3  Uzbekistan 3 1 1 1 7 5 +2 4[a]
4  Chad 3 1 0 2 4 6 −2 3
Source: WMF
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head: Romania 2–1 Uzbekistan
France 1–0 Chad
Giovanni Calandrau 50+1' Report
Romania 2–1 Uzbekistan
  • Constantin Dumitrașcu 2'
  • Andrei Șumălan 18'
 Report
  • Asror Ruzmatov 5'
France 3–3 Uzbekistan
  • Skender Si Chaib 10'
  • Kévin Kistohurry 19'
  • Dylan Rozier 50'
 Report
  • Doniyorbek Khasanov 3'
  • Asror Ruzmatov 8'
  • Elyor Omonjonov 41'
Chad 4–2 Romania
  • Ahmat Yacoub 20'
  • Brahim Ali 29', 41'
  • Sidik Moussa 50'
 Report
  • Viorel Șaim 2'
  • Constantin Dumitrașcu 26'
Uzbekistan 3–0 Chad
  • Bekzod Mirsaidov 19'
  • Azizbek Temirov 35'
  • Akhror Umarjonov 39'
 Report
Romania 0–0 France
Report

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  England 3 2 1 0 8 1 +7 7 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Hungary 3 1 2 0 5 2 +3 5
3  Turkey 3 1 1 1 4 5 −1 4
4  Ukraine 3 0 0 3 1 10 −9 0
Source: WMF
Hungary 1–1 Turkey
  • Kövesdi Zsombor 4'
 Report
  • Erdem Eriş 2'
Ukraine 0–4 England
Report
  • Callam Gardner 15', 18'
  • Kristian Campbell 38'
  • Hafed Al-Droubi 31'
England 1–1 Hungary
  • Sam Fitzgerald 40'
 Report
  • Tibor Kész 49'
Ukraine 1–3 Turkey
  • Vadym Ivanov 17'
 Report
  • Emre Hacıeyüpoğlu 4', 7', 42'
Hungary 3–0 Ukraine
  • Zsombor Kövesdi 4'
  • Tibor Kész 40'
  • Miklós Barabás 44'
 Report
Turkey 0–3 England
Report
  • Mussa Bham 6', 43'
  • Sam Fitzgerald 21'

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Portugal 3 3 0 0 13 2 +11 9 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Bulgaria 3 2 0 1 7 3 +4 6
3  Slovakia 3 1 0 2 16 3 +13 3
4  India 3 0 0 3 0 28 −28 0
Source: WMF
Bulgaria 1–3 Portugal
Fábio Lopes 33' (o.g.) Report
Slovakia 15–0 India
 Report
Bulgaria 5–0 India
  • Iliya Petkov 20', 38'
  • Angel Rahov 40'
  • Momchil Kuzmanov 41'
  • Nikolay Marinov 46'
 Report
Portugal 2–1 Slovakia
Tiago Lapa 1', 27' Report Jakub Straka 40'
India 0–8 Portugal
Report
  • João Duarte 25'
  • Tiago Lapa 32', 38', 49'
  • Zé Campos 34', 42'
  • Francisco Silva 39'
  • Edú Silva 50'
Slovakia 0–1 Bulgaria
Report
  • Nikolay Ivanov 34'

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Montenegro 3 2 1 0 14 1 +13 7 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Thailand 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 7
3  Indonesia 3 1 0 2 1 8 −7 3
4  Costa Rica 3 0 0 3 1 14 −13 0
Source: WMF
Indonesia 1–0 Costa Rica
  • Syarif Hidayatullah Sudarwin 30'
 Report
Montenegro 1–1 Thailand
  • Nikola Popović 20'
 Report
  • Thepmanee Nattapat 38'
Montenegro 9–0 Costa Rica
  • Miloš Pejaković 2', 34'
  • Rijad Dervišević 4'
  • Aleksandar Bošković 26'
  • Djuro Mugoša 29', 38'
  • 32' (o.g.)
  • Darko Rajković 46'
  • Luka Savović 50'
 Report
Thailand 4–0 Indonesia
  • Piomsawad Vipusana 9'
  • Rumkae Adisak 23'
  • Thepmanee Nattapat 44'
  • Pearpong Chaiyong 46'
 Report
Costa Rica 1–4 Thailand
Jose Montero 13' Report
  • Saengthong Tanet 8'
  • Pearpong Chaiyong 24'
  • Wonchiangrak Weerayut 32'
  • Theerakaew Issarawut 41'
Indonesia 0–4 Montenegro
Report
  • Ivan Pejaković 1'
  • Rijad Dervišević 16'
  • Darko Rajković 33'
  • Luka Savović 49'

Group F

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 1 2 0 6 4 +2 5 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Poland 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3  Kazakhstan 3 1 1 1 7 6 +1 4
4  United States 3 0 1 2 5 9 −4 1
Source: WMF
Kazakhstan 1–2 Poland
Dmitriy Dvirnyy 21' Report Artur Koschny 39'
Piotr Makowski 45'
United States 2–4 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Chad Vandegriffe 25'
Ian Bennett 50'		 Report Haris Medunjanin 21', 26', 50+1'
Kemal Čaušević 42'
United States 0–0 Poland
Report
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–1 Kazakhstan
  • Zhassulan Mustafin 22' (o.g.)
 Report
  • Aibolat Adakhmanov 23'
Poland 1–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Damian Patoka 14'
 Report
  • Ervin Zukanović 42'
Kazakhstan 5–3 United States
  • Alikhan Sairanov 8'
  • Ilya Burtovoy 49'
  • Akhat Zholshorin 10'
  • Aibolat Adakhmanov 16'
  • Dmitriy Dvirnyy 50'
 Report
  • Justin Stinson 21', 43'
  • Jesus Pacheco 45'

Group G

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Czech Republic 3 2 1 0 13 5 +8 7 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Georgia 3 2 1 0 10 3 +7 7
3  United Arab Emirates 3 1 0 2 6 12 −6 3
4  Argentina 3 0 0 3 3 12 −9 0
Source: WMF
Czech Republic 2–1 Argentina
  • Guillermo Faidutti 23' (o.g.)
  • Ondřej Paděra 38'
 Report
  • Guillermo Faidutti 34'
Georgia 2–0 United Arab Emirates
  • Gega Koshadze 24'
  • Nikoloz Koplatadze 29'
 Report
Georgia 6–1 Argentina
  • Nikoloz Koplatadze 2', 39'
  • Giorgi Khabalaevi 3', 32'
  • Lasha-giorgi Oboladze 5'
  • Nikoloz Dadiani 35'
 Report
  • Miguel Angel Cisneros 20' (pen.)
United Arab Emirates 2–9 Czech Republic
  • Ahmed Al-Saleh 1'
  • Mohamed Al-Suwaidi 2'
 Report
  • Ondřej Paděra 1', 4', 10'
  • Richard Svoboda 3', 48'
  • Pavel Exner 11', 15'
  • Jaroslav Kubát 44'
  • Erik Burac 49'
Argentina 1–4 United Arab Emirates
  • Luciano Monserrat 6'
 Report
  • Mohamed Khalil 7'
  • Saif Al-Rumeithi 34'
  • Rashed Masood 38'
  • Mohamed Al-Ali 48'
Czech Republic 2–2 Georgia
  • Tomáš Jelínek 39'
  • Ondřej Paděra 45'
 Report
  • Gari Tsereteli 21'
  • Teimurazi Ekizashvili 30'

Group H

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Serbia 3 3 0 0 9 2 +7 9 Advance to Knockout stage
2  Israel 3 2 0 1 8 5 +3 6
3  Spain 3 1 0 2 6 8 −2 3
4  Ghana 3 0 0 3 1 9 −8 0
Source: WMF
Ghana 0–3 Spain
Report
  • Óscar Ortiz 1'
  • José Barreto 5'
  • Alexander García 44'
Serbia 3–0 Israel
  • Zarije Gojković 30'
  • Stefan Bosnić 38'
  • Marko Novaković 42'
 Report
Ghana 0–4 Israel
Report
  • Amir Abeles 9'
  • Ahmad Gabarin 19'
  • Yossef Sarusi 43', 45'
Spain 1–4 Serbia
  • Pablo Romero 49'
 Report
  • Marko Živkucin 7'
  • Jovan Bobar 15', 28'
  • Stefan Bosnić 45'
Israel 4–2 Spain
  • Yossef Sarusi 9'
  • Adar Kalir 38'
  • Ahmad Gabarin 48'
  • Yuval Shabtay 49'
 Report
  • Óscar Ortiz 27'
  • Pablo Romero 50+2'
Serbia 2–1 Ghana
  • Zarije Gojković 13'
  • Jovan Bobar 21'
 Report
  • Bismark Amponsah 32'

Knockout stage

Bracket

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 27 May – Baku
 
 
 England (p)2 (3)
 
 29 May – Baku
 
 Bulgaria2 (1)
 
 England1
 
 27 May – Baku
 
 Azerbaijan2
 
 Azerbaijan (p)1 (2)
 
 30 May – Baku
 
 Romania1 (1)
 
 Azerbaijan2
 
 28 May – Baku
 
 Montenegro1
 
 Montenegro1
 
 29 May – Baku
 
 Poland0
 
 Montenegro1
 
 28 May – Baku
 
 Czech Republic0
 
 Czech Republic4
 
 1 June – Baku
 
 Israel1
 
 Azerbaijan4
 
 27 May – Baku
 
 Hungary2
 
 Portugal2
 
 29 May – Baku
 
 Hungary3
 
 Hungary1
 
 27 May – Baku
 
 Mauritania0
 
 France0
 
 30 May – Baku
 
 Mauritania1
 
 Hungary (p)0 (3)
 
 28 May – Baku
 
 Serbia0 (1) Third-place match
 
 Bosnia and Herzegovina3
 
 29 May – Baku 1 June – Baku
 
 Thailand1
 
 Bosnia and Herzegovina0 Montenegro0
 
 28 May – Baku
 
 Serbia5  Serbia3
 
 Serbia3
 
 
 Georgia2
 

Round of 16

England 2–2 Bulgaria
  • Callum Gardner 37' (pen.), 42'
 Report
  • Kristiyan Ivanov 38'
  • Danilo Vasov 50+2'
Penalties
  • Callum Gardner
  • Mussa Bham
  • Nicholas Wybrow
3–1
  • Nikolay Ivanov
  • Denis Ivanov
Portugal 2–3 Hungary
  • Tiago Lapa 13'
  • Edu Rajão 37'
 Report
  • Zsombor Kövesdi 16'
  • Robin Koppermann 31', 45'
Azerbaijan 1–1 Romania
  • Ramiz Çovdarov 33'
 Report
  • Alin Robu 13'
Penalties
  • Elvin Əlizadə
  • Təmkin Xəlilzadə
2–1
  • Marius Balogh
  • Alin Robu
  • Cătălin Tineiu
France 0–1 Mauritania
Report
  • Moustapha Soueidi 1'
Montenegro 1–0 Poland
  • Darko Rajković 39'
 Report
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3–1 Thailand
  • Kemal Čaušević 44', 48'
  • Haris Medunjanin 50'
 Report
  • Saengthong Tanet 2'
Czech Republic 4–1 Israel
  • Ondřej Paděra 5', 48'
  • Richard Svoboda 33'
  • Pavel Exner 37'
 Report
  • Ahmad Gabarin 49'
Serbia 3–2 Georgia
  • Nikola Tomić 6'
  • Žarko Matić 25'
  • Jovan Bobar 40'
 Report
  • Giorgi Qurdadze 11' (pen.)
  • Giorgi Aptsiauri 41'

Quarter-finals

Hungary 1–0 Mauritania
  • Barnabás Győri 23'
 Report
Montenegro 1–0 Czech Republic
  • Rijad Dervišević 39'
 Report
England 1–2 Azerbaijan
  • Mussa Bham 35'
 Report
  • Təmkin Xəlilzadə 14'
  • Sam Fitzgerald 48' (o.g.)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0–5 Serbia
Report
  • Davor Popović 2'
  • Stefan Bosnić 18', 44'
  • Marko Vujović 30'
  • Nikola Tomič 50'

Semi-finals

Azerbaijan 2–1 Montenegro
  • Ağaseyid Qasımov 23'
  • Ramiz Çovdarov 44'
 Report
  • Nikola Radonjić 30'
Hungary 0–0 Serbia
Report
Penalties
  • Tibor Kész
  • Balázs Bényei
  • Zsombor Kövesdi
3–1
  • Veselin Guberinić
  • Žarko Matić

Third-place match

Montenegro 0–3 Serbia
Report Žarko Matić 21'
Zarije Gojković 25'
Veselin Guberinić 50+3'

Final

Azerbaijan 4–2 Hungary
  • Təmkin Xəlilzadə 2'
  • Məhəmməd Xəlilov 8'
  • Ravan Kərimov 10', 29'
 Report
  • Jsombor Kövesdi 11'
  • Bence Lovász 50'

Awards

The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:

Best Player
Ramiz Çovdarov
Top Scorer
Ondřej Paděra
Tiago Lapa
(7 goals)
Best goalkeeper
Vladimir Bajić

Top scorers

Rank Player Nation Goals
1 Ondřej Paděra  Czech Republic 7
Tiago Lapa  Portugal
2 Zsombor Kövesdi  Hungary 5
3 Rijad Dervišević  Montenegro 4
Jovan Bobar  Serbia
Haris Medunjanin  Bosnia and Herzegovina
Stefan Bosnić  Serbia
Callum Gardner  England

References

  1. ^ "Azerbaijan to Host WMF World Cup 2025 from 21st May to 1st June 2025 - World Minifootball Federation". WMF. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
  2. ^ "Romania wins world champion title in minifootball". Romania Insider. 2023-11-06. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
  3. ^ "WMF World Cup: Azerbaijan crowned champions, Hungary takes silver, Serbia claims bronze - PHOTO/VIDEO". İdman və Biz. 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  4. ^ "2025-ci ildə Bakıda təşkil olunacaq minifutbol üzrə dünya çempionatının təqdimat mərasimi keçirilib". Report İnformasiya Agentliyi (in Azerbaijani). 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  5. ^ "Bakıdakı dünya çempionatının medalları təqdim olunub, oyunların keçiriləcəyi məkan dəqiqləşib". Report İnformasiya Agentliyi (in Azerbaijani). 2025-03-28. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  6. ^ "Minifutbol üzrə dünya çempionatının keçiriləcəyi Milli Gimnastika Arenasında görüləcək işlərin siyahısı açıqlanıb". Report İnformasiya Agentliyi (in Azerbaijani). 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  7. ^ "Bakıda keçiriləcək minifutbol üzrə dünya çempionatında 7 ölkənin yığması debüt edəcək". azertag.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  8. ^ "BAKIDA DÜNYA ÇEMPİONATININ PÜŞKATMA MƏRASİMİ KEÇİRİLƏCƏK – Azərbaycan Minifutbol Federasiyası" (in Azerbaijani). 2025-03-12. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  9. ^ "Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi". www.mys.gov.az. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
  10. ^ "African Minifootball Confederation statement on Facebook". Facebook. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  11. ^ "Aleyna Tilki dünya çempionatının açılışı üçün Bakıya gələcək". Qafqazinfo (in Azerbaijani). 2025-04-28. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  12. ^ "DÜNYA ÇEMPİONATININ AÇILIŞ MƏRASİMİNDƏN (FOTOLAR) – Azərbaycan Minifutbol Federasiyası" (in Azerbaijani). 2025-05-25. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  13. ^ Apasport.az. "Azərbaycan – İngiltərə matçında azarkeş rekordu qeydə alınıb". Apasport.az (in Azerbaijani). Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  14. ^ "Bakıda dünya çempionatının püşkatması keçirilib". Gənclər və İdman Nazirliyi. 12 March 2025. Archived from the original on 28 April 2025. Retrieved 28 April 2025.
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