The groupings for Paraguay 2019 are now known
Hosts to play their opening match against Japan
Relive the draw on FIFA.com and on FIFA’s YouTube channel
The 16 participating nations at the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019 now know what their group stage journeys will look like, following Friday’s final draw at the CONMEBOL Convention Centre in Asuncion.
Drawn into Group A, the hosts will play Japan in their tournament opener at 21:00 local time on Thursday 21 November. Switzerland and USA are the other two sides in the group.
Five-time competition winners Brazil kick off their campaign a day later against Oman.
Runners-up at the last two world finals, the ever-entertaining Tahiti will open against Italy, while two-time world champions Russia will do likewise against Senegal.
The groups
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraguay | Uruguay | Belarus | Brazil |
| Japan | Mexico | United Arab Emirates | Oman |
| Switzerland | Italy | Senegal | Portugal |
| USA | Tahiti | Russia | Nigeria |
Paraguay 2019: The draw in photos
What they said
"Given the standard of the 16 teams and how the draw has panned out, it’s sure to be a spectacular tournament. Paraguay’s first FIFA World Cup will be an exciting one and we invite you not to miss it." Jaime Yarza, FIFA Head of Tournaments and draw host
"We are breaking a paradigm here. For the first time in the history of the Beach Soccer World Cup, the tournament will be hosted in a landlocked country, sending a message loud and clear to the world: beach soccer can be played in every corner of the planet." Robert Harrison, President of the Paraguayan Football Association (APF)