The 2026 World Cup has confirmed its four nations advancing to the semi-finals.
This World Cup saw no "dark horse" teams surprising as in many previous tournaments.
All four teams are former world champions and had been favorites even before the tournament began.
The semi-final matchups are as follows.
Top seed France (champions in 1998 and 2018) will face second seed Spain (2010 champions) on Tuesday, 14 July at 2 a.m. (early morning 15 July).
Third seed England (1966 champions) will play against defending champion Argentina, fourth seed (1978, 1986, 2022 champions) on Wednesday, 15 July at 2 a.m. (early morning 16 July).
JAS, the rights holder, has confirmed that both semi-final matches and the final on Sunday night
will be broadcast live on free TV (channel Mono29), ensuring football fans nationwide can watch.
The World Cup and Thai people have long been intertwined, even though the chance for Thailand to qualify as Asia’s representative
still seems distant given the current level of the Thai national team.
However, one area where Thailand proudly stands out is the achievements of the national futsal teams, both men’s and women’s.
They have consistently qualified for the final rounds of the Futsal World Cup.
Notably, the Thai women's futsal team made history by qualifying for the 2025 Women's Futsal World Championship in the Philippines for the first time last year.
Their journey to success and fulfilling their dreams has been remarkable.
They overcame many compelling life challenges, inspiring a documentary to motivate the next generation.
Titled “GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars.”
Supported by the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund and produced by Sanlan Vision Co., Ltd.,
the documentary tells the stories of children and youth from community futsal courts nationwide.
It is based on the concept, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
“GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars” is a 7-episode series, each lasting about 15-20 minutes.
It follows seven Thai national futsal players tracing community courts to inspire grassroots youth dreams.
The series portrays the lives of children and youth passionate about futsal.
They train amid space limitations and diverse environments across seven courts nationwide, including:
1. Din Daeng slum community court, led by Natthaphon Sutthiroj, former Thai futsal World Cup player and current head coach of Surat Thani club.
2. Under the expressway at Wat Makok, Phaya Thai, with Komphon Phiphop, former Thai futsal national player.
3. Wat School futsal court, Wat Moollek, Pathum Thani, featuring Therdsak Charoenpong, Thai national futsal player from Thakham Cold Storage club.
4. Hilltop court at Ban Pha Hee, Chiang Rai, with Supawut Thuenklang, Thai futsal World Cup player from Bluewave Chonburi club.
5. Mangrove forest court at Bang Khun Thian Sea Conservation Bridge, with Paeploy Huajaiphet, Thai women's national futsal player from Suan Sunandha Inspire T-Sport club.
6. School for the disabled futsal court at Sotsuksathueang Maha Mek School, featuring Chat Chotchuang, deaf Thai futsal national player from Port Authority ASM club.
7. Muslim community court at Ban Pa Sports Club, led by “Coach O” Thanathorn Santanaprasit, head coach of Thai women's national futsal team and former Thai futsal World Cup player.
While each court’s conditions may not be perfect, the series aims to show
that “Children’s dreams are never small, no matter the size of the court.”
Professional futsal players and industry personnel, many having grown up on small courts,
share experiences, inspire, and broaden perspectives for community youth.
Each episode’s storytelling is divided into three main segments.
First, visiting and getting to know the “locals” and community environment.
Next, discussing the children’s lifestyles, determination, and dreams.
Finally, the highlight segment: “Unveiling the Dream Court.”
Here, the production team uses artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate the “dream court.”
This demonstrates possibilities for developing and improving each community’s futsal facilities to better suit youth needs in the future.
A team representative explained the core message of the series:
We want viewers to see that a child’s success is never achieved alone.
It happens because the entire community supports, provides space to play, and offers opportunities to dream.
Futsal fans and interested viewers can follow “GRASSROOT FUTSAL: From Small Beginnings to the Stars” every Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.
On the Facebook page Futsal Poonpoon and YouTube channel FutsalThailand.
The first episode airs on Tuesday night, 14 July 2026.
The series aims to inspire children and youth nationwide.
There are plans to expand content into short-form media.
To reach younger generations and a wider audience more effectively.
- Bee Bangpakong -