Portugal is set to make its debut at the 2024 Futsal World Cup next Monday against Panama. Just three days before the tournament kicks off, Jorge Braz and Eduardo Sousa shared their thoughts with the FPF website, expressing their determination to defend their title.
JORGE BRAZ, NATIONAL COACH
Pre-Match Sentiments: “We’re exactly where we aimed to be, in every aspect. We’re eagerly anticipating the start of the tournament; we’ve prepared extensively. There’s no need for extra motivation—once the competition begins, we’ll be ready, full of desire, ambition, and confidence.”
On Individual Honors: “These awards highlight the progress of Portuguese futsal across the board—youth, women’s teams, clubs, coaches, and the national team. It’s a testament to the excellent work being done in Portugal. I’m confident that we’ll continue to receive this level of recognition and, more importantly, we aim to turn it into titles and achievements. Individual accolades become even more significant when they reflect the collective excellence of Portuguese futsal.”
On Ambitions for the Tournament: “Our goal is to consistently be in the final stages and have opportunities to win titles. We’ve been successful in the past, but maintaining this level is incredibly challenging. Our focus is on continuing our journey and staying at this high level. Doing the basics well is crucial.”
EDUARDO SOUSA, PORTUGUESE GOALKEEPER
Team Atmosphere: “Everything is going well. We’re excited and eager to start the World Cup. We’re fully committed in every training session. Futsal has evolved significantly globally, and there are stronger teams now than three years ago. Our team has also made great strides, with young players showing ambition and veteran players maintaining their drive. This hunger, even after achieving so much, is remarkable. We’re ready to show what we can do.”
Personal Goals: “This will be my first Futsal World Cup on the field. Having experienced the 2021 victory from the sidelines, I’m looking forward to this opportunity. As the coach mentioned, our aim is to stay in the tournament until the final day. We’ll give our best to achieve our objectives.”
In addition to their match against Panama, Portugal will also face Tajikistan and Morocco in the group stage on September 19 and 22, respectively.