Antalya, Türkiye — The global minifootball community is set to turn its attention to Antalya, Türkiye, as the city prepares to host the 2026 IMF World Cup from November 1 to 6, featuring 16 national teams in what promises to be one of the sport’s most prestigious international competitions.
Organized under the auspices of the International Minifootball Federation (IMF), the tournament reflects the federation’s ongoing commitment to developing the sport, expanding its global reach, and strengthening its international profile.
The 2026 edition will bring together 16 nations from four continents: Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Libya, Bahrain, India, Palestine, Austria, Russia, Tunisia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ghana, Algeria, and Brazil.
The diverse lineup highlights the truly global character of the championship, uniting teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America and transforming Antalya into an international meeting point for different footballing cultures over six days of competition.
Host nation Türkiye will headline the tournament alongside traditional footballing nations such as Brazil, Austria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Russia, while the Arab, Asian, and African presence will be strongly represented by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, India, Palestine, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Ghana.
Al-Dosari: We Promise an Exceptional World Cup with Many Surprises
Dr. Mohammed Al-Dosari, President of the International Minifootball Federation (IMF), confirmed that preparations are progressing rapidly to deliver an outstanding edition of the World Cup that reflects the quality of the participating teams and the federation’s vision for the continued global growth of the sport.
“We are preparing in Antalya to stage a truly exceptional World Cup,” Dr. Al-Dosari said. “Working closely with our partners and the Turkish authorities, we are committed to providing the highest organizational and technical standards to ensure an unforgettable experience for all participating teams.”
He added, “Choosing Antalya as the host city gives this edition a unique identity. We have complete confidence in Türkiye’s ability to welcome the participating teams, officials, and supporters, and we promise many exciting surprises that will make the 2026 World Cup an event that extends well beyond the action on the field.”
Dr. Al-Dosari also emphasized that the participation of 16 national teams representing different continents and footballing traditions perfectly reflects the IMF’s vision of expanding the global footprint of minifootball and building stronger connections between nations through sport.
“The presence of teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America significantly enhances the technical quality and international stature of the tournament,” he said.
Welcoming all participating delegations, Dr. Al-Dosari expressed confidence that the Turkish people would extend their renowned hospitality throughout the event.
“We warmly welcome every participating nation and are confident that Türkiye will provide an unforgettable experience. Our ambition is not only to organize a successful competition but also to ensure that every delegation leaves Antalya with lasting memories and meaningful friendships.”
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Al-Dosari stressed that the IMF’s ambitions extend far beyond the success of a single tournament.
“Our mission goes beyond staging a successful World Cup. We are committed to expanding minifootball worldwide, increasing participation, strengthening national federations and competitions, and introducing the sport to new regions and emerging markets. We believe Antalya 2026 will mark another major milestone in the continued global growth of minifootball.”
