MANILA — Canada suffered its second loss in as many games at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, falling 6-3 to Thailand on Tuesday.
The defeat leaves Canada without a point at the bottom of Group B, unable to advance to the quarterfinals. Spain defeated Colombia 5-1 later Tuesday to lead the pool with six points, ahead of Thailand and Colombia each on three points.
Canada, which lost its opener 2-0 to Colombia on Saturday, wraps up group play Friday against Spain. The top two in the group move on to the knockout round.
Spain is ranked second in the FIFA women’s futsal rankings while Thailand is No. 4 and Colombia No. 8. Canada, largely due to its lack of international matches, is currently No. 74.
Maude Lagace and Joelle Gosselin scored for Canada, which also benefited from a Thai own goal.
Thailand outshot Canada 57-35 (21-11 in shots on target).
Thailand led 2-0 before Canada tied it up on a long-range deflected shot and then the own goal. After Thailand pulled ahead, Lagace evened the score at 3-3, beating two defenders and Thai goalkeeper Sasiprapha Suksen
Canada had a chance to pull ahead from the penalty spot but Suksen stopped Gosselin’s shot,
Thailand scored the next three goals to put the game away, finishing with a highlight-reel volley from distance by Jenjira Bubpha.
Spain has won all three editions of the UEFA Women’s Futsal Championship while Thailand was runner-up at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in May. Colombia finished third at the 2025 Copa América de Futsal Femenina in March, securing the third and last South American berth at the World Cup.
The 16-team tournament runs through Dec. 7 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila.
Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly.
Despite its rankings and lack of playing time, the Canadian women arrived at the tournament with bona-fide credentials.
Canada booked its ticket to the World Cup in May by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout in the semifinal of the CONCACAF W Futsal Championship in Guatemala. The Canadians then downed Panama 8-2 in the final.
Coach Alexandre Da Rocha has been able to bring 12 of his players from the CONCACAF championship to the World Cup. Keera Melenhorst, who plays for Linkoping FC in Sweden, and Sadie Sider, who plays for the University of South Florida, were unable to come due to club and school commitments.
Their spots have been taken by defender Katerine Delev and forward Magali Gagné.
The Canadians held camps in August and October advance of the tournament.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2025.
The Canadian Press
