Spain’s Quest to Conquer Women’s Futsal Copa America Tournament 

As the ninth edition of the Women’s Copa América Futsal unfolds in Sorocaba, Brazil (March 22–30), Spanish-based players from multiple South American teams hope to dethrone the mighty host nation. Their quest underscores Spain’s growing influence in the global futsal scene.

Spanish Ambitions and South American Flair

This year’s Women’s Copa América Futsal promises riveting duels between ten CONMEBOL nations—Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. While Spain itself isn’t officially competing, its leagues host numerous international stars who have boarded flights to join their respective national squads in Brazil.

Among the Spanish clubs hit hardest by these call-ups is Agrupación Deportiva Ceuta (AD Ceuta). The team dominates Group 3 of Spain’s Second Division with an eye on promotion, a feat achieved partly due to its multinational roster. Now, the club will be missing five vital players for three weeks: three Argentines (goalkeeper Tamara “Tami” Falconi, winger Ale Giménez, and winger-defender Mailén Romero), Uruguayan striker Maura Scaletti, and Colombian keeper Allison Gineth.

In conversation with EFE, Ale Giménez expressed her excitement: “It’s an honor to represent my country again. I’m going to enjoy it like I have on previous occasions with the national team.” Fellow AD Ceuta goalkeeper Allison Gineth, suiting up for Colombia, added that “being chosen is a source of pride. We want to leave the country as high as possible.”

Uruguayan forward Scaletti, who has already racked up 25 goals this season, also spoke to EFE: “Representing my country is one of the greatest joys this sport can offer. I’m thrilled for the chance to keep Uruguay’s momentum going.” Beyond those personal ambitions, Scaletti highlighted the higher stakes: Women’s Copa América Futsal doubles as a qualifier for the Women’s Futsal World Cup, pushing every participating nation—and its Spanish-based members—to give their all.

The Challenge: Dethrone Brazil

Reigning champion Brazil enters the tournament with seven of the eight previous titles under its belt. Its only slip occurred in 2015 when Colombia snatched the crown. This year’s format splits the teams into two groups. Group A features Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Ecuador; Group B consists of Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru. The group stage runs from March 22 to 27, with Brazil’s Arena Sorocaba hosting every match.

For AD Ceuta’s players, the road to the top undoubtedly passes through a formidable Brazilian squad. “It’s tough to dethrone Brazil, but not impossible,” said Argentinian winger Giménez, who is attending her third Copa América. “We’re working hard, and to become the best, you have to face the best.”

Scaletti concurred. She put importance on Brazil’s strong position. She also spoke well of the good talent within Argentina and Colombia. “They have plenty of players abroad,” she remarked. “Many are in Spain.” That international experience can shift the balance.” Meanwhile, Colombian keeper Gineth vowed to minimize conceded goals: “My job is simple: keep the goal difference as low as possible, working alongside my teammate in the net.”

The sense of camaraderie among these Spanish-based players spans countries. Even though they’ll battle each other on the court, bonds formed in Spain remain strong. “Once we’re off the pitch, we’re back to being teammates,” Gineth said, smiling. “But on the court, I’ll do everything I can to stop their shots.”

Fixtures, Favorites, and Spain’s Expanding Reach

CONMEBOL has scheduled a compact group stage from March 22 through March 27, with each nation facing off in a round-robin format. Teams get one rest day, rotating among them, and the top two sides in each group advance to the semifinals. Saturday, March 29, sees the playoff for 9th place, 7th place, and the two semifinal clashes; Sunday, March 30, hosts the battles for 5th, 3rd, and—most importantly—the final to crown the champion.

Despite the intense focus on dethroning Brazil, the players recall that potential dark horses, like Argentina or Colombia, can disrupt the status quo. Giménez, who typically plays as a winger, is open to tactical shifts if needed by her coaching staff: “I’ll play wherever the coach needs me,” she told EFE. “We have a solid core, we’ve added new talent, and our sights are set on the top.”

Mailén Romero, another AD Ceuta standout summoned by Argentina, pointed to the significance of the World Cup qualification. “We want that ticket to the biggest stage,” she told EFE. “This Copa América is more competitive than ever because the World Cup looms. Our main objective is qualification, but why not go for the title too?”

While these international call-ups delight Spanish clubs on one level, they also strain domestic competition. AD Ceuta coach Víctor Manuel Cachón acknowledged the pride in seeing so many players tapped for national duty yet lamented the imbalance it creates in Spain’s Second Division. “The Spanish Federation should be mindful of such realities,” Cachón explained to EFE. “Losing five key players for nearly a month is tough, especially with promotion on the line. But we’re prepared—our squad is deep, and we hope none of them come back injured.”

Cachón, who once played for Benicarló, Gran Canaria, Burela Pescados Rubén, and Lobelle Santiago, believes the synergy between Spain’s futsal structure and talented South American imports has elevated the sport’s overall quality. “It’s a testament to the league’s competitiveness that so many top internationals choose to play here,” he said. “We just need scheduling harmony so clubs aren’t penalized for success in recruiting world-class talent.”

With the tournament ready to unfold, the three-week event in Sorocaba represents a milestone for many players who sharpen their skills year-round in Spain’s futsal circuit. “I see it as a reflection of how far women’s futsal has come,” said Gineth. “Colombia trained intensely for this. We want to surprise everyone and show that a new champion can emerge.”

Ultimately, these Spanish-based stars share a common thread—an aspiration to excel internationally and underscore Spain’s ever-growing influence in women’s futsal, even if their badges read Argentina, Uruguay, or Colombia. “We’re forging a strong link between Europe and South America,” Scaletti reflected. “It’s about more than trophies: it’s about connecting leagues, cultures, and, most importantly, opening doors for young women who love this sport.”

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As the 2025 Women’s Futsal World Cup qualification intensifies, the Copa América provides a grand stage for fierce rivalries, skillful play, and a chance to unseat Brazil’s longtime reign. And though the tournament is firmly set in South America, the impact of Spanish leagues resonates loudly, promising an unforgettable spectacle for fans on both continents. Let the futsal battles begin.