The fifth FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will kick off in Dubai on Monday with Brazil chasing their fourth consecutive title.
The FIFA tournament, which runs from November 16-22 at Jumeirah Beach will see 16 finalists contest a total of 32 games.
Brazil have won this annual tournament every year since 2006, and in Dubai, will be looking for their fourth consecutive title.
The Brazilians have not been beaten in the competition since their semi-final defeat to Portugal in 2005, where they lost on penalties after a 6-6 draw.
Six teams have appeared in every edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Spain and Brazilians Julio Negao and Benjamin hold the record for games played, each with 23.
Costa Rica and the Ivory Coast are two new teams this year, while the UAE, though they qualified automatically as hosts, can be expected to provide stiff opposition, having twice been crowned champions of Asia.
The UAE also showed their potential in friendlies this year against Japan and Bahrain, Asia’s two other representatives in Dubai, winning 4-2 and 4-1 respectively.
