Alexandre Da Rocha has a busy schedule ahead.
As the newly named, first-ever Canadian women’s futsal coach, Da Rocha has to hold ID camps and choose a roster ahead of the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Futsal Championship in late April in Guatemala.
The veteran coach is in the process of finalizing camps in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec after talking to provincial associations about possible staff and players. That process will lead to a final selection camp, a four-day affair starting May 27 in Montreal for the top 25 players, from which the final 14-player roster will be chosen.
Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly.
The sport is growing in Canada with Quebec leading the way. There are also leagues in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Da Rocha says his phone has been blowing up since Canada Soccer put him in charge of the fledgling women's program.
"I'm turning 50 this year and I think in 48 to 72 hours, I've never received so much love from one announcement," the Montreal native said in an interview. "People calling me, texting me, emailing me. And everyone was so happy and so excited about the news. So I would say right now it's a very, very positive vibe that I'm feeling."
Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women’s Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs “public neglect towards women futsal players."
FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice.
Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan.
That 1989 futsal team included Paul Dolan, Pat Harrington, Nick De Santis, Eddy Berdusco, Lyndon Hooper and Alex Bunbury. Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico.
Canada and the other six competing teams — Costa Rica, Cuba, host Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and the U.S.-- will learn their path at the CONCACAF W Futsal Championship at Wednesday's draw.
Da Rocha expects Guatemala, Costa Rica and the United States to be tough outs.
Two of those teams will represent from North and Central America at the 16-team FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup Nov. 21-Dec. 7 in the Philippines. New Zealand is the first team to qualify, joining the host Philippines.
After the CONCACAF qualifier, Da Rocha hopes to travel across the country time to help provinces build their program.
There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. The Canadians' best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024.
Panama won the title last time out in 20204 ending Costa Rica's run of three straight championships.
Canada has held two women's futsal championships to date with Da Rocha's former team, Montreal Xtreme ADR, winning the inaugural event in 2023. Saskatoon Green and White, a side composed of University of Saskatchewan players, won the title in 2024.
Pacific FC of the Native Indian Football Association has represented B.C. at the women's national championship.
The 2025 Futsal Canadian Championship, featuring men and women, is set for April in Regina.
Given Canada's climate, the indoor game makes sense. And, as Da Rocha notes, all that's needed is a gym. Plus futsal is a good way to learn ball skills.
"A lot of countries, like Brazil, a lot of the young players don't play soccer until they're 10, 11, 12. They do play futsal all the way when they're younger," said Da Rocha.
"The best part when I talk to younger players — and even older players — is how you always feel involved in the game." he added. "There only four (outfield) players on the field, so you're always part of the action."
Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team, has served as an assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side since 2019.
In the outdoor game, he coached the Canadian women’s team at the 2018 FISU Games and was as an assistant coach with the Canadian entry in the 2012 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He coached Xtreme Montreal in the W-League from 2003 to 2004.
Since 2012, Da Rocha has also worked as a television analyst for both futsal and soccer events.
Da Rocha, who stepped down as sporting director of Montreal Xtreme ADR after being named Canada coach, also runs a high school soccer program and remain head coach of the UQAM Citadins women’s soccer team.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2025
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
