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FIFA offers Five Things to watch as Bahamas 2017 Kicks off

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1. The experience of champions
Returning to defend the title they won on home sand two years ago, Portugal possess a host of well-known attributes. Madjer and Co are looking to become the third nation to retain the world crown, after Brazil and Russia, a surprise absentee from Bahamas 2017.

2. Brazil back on the title trail
Victorious in the four editions between 2006 and 2011, A Verdeamarela are another of the favourites for the title. Having won the South American qualifying competition with plenty to spare, the Brazilians have every intention of making Nassau the venue for their return to the pinnacle.

3. The outside bets
Though Italy have yet to lift the trophy, their proven ability to go deep into the tournament makes them a force to be reckoned with, especially with the free-scoring Gabriele Gori leading their attack. Asian champions Iran boast a seasoned and experienced squad, while Senegal excelled in a tough African qualifying competition and Tahiti have been one of the revelations of recent seasons.

4. New boys hungry for success
Host nation the Bahamas, Panama and Ecuador are all making their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup debuts. The newly crowned CONCACAF champions, Los Canaleros are sure to pose a stern test, while the Bahamas will have the support of their fervent fans behind them.

5. Home boys Bahamas
With a superb stadium in place and a growing sense of anticipation and excitement in the street, the Bahamas are raring to go for their first appearance in a FIFA tournament. And what better way to do that than by hosting the Beach Soccer World Cup? In preparing for the competition, the hosts travelled to Europe, where, among other things, they spent several weeks with the Switzerland team, training and playing against them on several occasions.
The words
“We are delighted. The Bahamas is the perfect venue: it has a passion for sport and for tourism. We’ve built a spectacular stadium that meets all the needs of what is a very big tournament. Given the experience we had at the qualifiers and the feedback we’re getting from people, we’re absolutely convinced that the tournament is going to be a massive success from day one.”
Tournament Director Joan Cusco

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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