In an all European affair, Romania beat Kazakhstan to bag the 2023 WMF Minifootball World Cup and a glittering ceremony brought the tournament to an end in Ras Al Khaimah.

In a nail-biting final match, Romania beat Kazakhstan via a penalty shootout to win the 2023 WMF Minifootball World Cup at Ras Al Khaimah.

The final went into extra time, which ended with both the teams locked at 2:2 and ended in a tense penalty shoot-out on November 4. According to a press statement, in the presence of Sheikh Saqr bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Ceramics, the 2023 WMF Minifootball World Cup came to a thrilling end with Romania crowned the World Champions after 10 days of sporting action in Ras Al Khaimah. 

The statement adds that Al Qasimi, together with WMF President, Filip Juda, presented the trophy to the Romanian team. It says that in second place, Kazakhstan secured their position as the tournament’s runner-up, showcasing exceptional sportsmanship. The third-place team, Hungary, also made a strong impact on the tournament, earning the admiration of fans and competitors alike. 

The spectacular closing ceremony celebrating the winners kicked off with dazzling performance by Light Orchestra Ballerina and an electrifying Football Parade that delivered yet another memory to treasure for minifootball fans around the world.

“Congratulations to Romania on an incredible performance. I would also like to thank all the nations that participated. Their collective efforts made this tournament an exciting and unforgettable event. Ras Al Khaimah takes great pride in being the first destination in the Middle East to host this international competition. We couldn’t be happier to have staged this wonderful event and played a key role in developing Minifootball in the region,” says Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

“The 2023 Minifootball World Cup in the Ras Al Khaimah has been our most successful yet. The international Minifootball community is growing fast and we are proud to see we now have a growing cohort of footballers in the Middle East who will be part of our future tournaments. I’d like to thank Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority for their support in delivering a truly world-class tournament and the people of Ras Al Khaimah for their warm welcome, as well as the entire World Minifootball family. This year’s world cup tournament has raised the bar for minifootball’s visibility and development,” says Filip Juda, President of the World Minifootball Federation.

The statement adds that participating in the WMF World Cup for the first time, the UAE team delivered a spectacular performance that captivated fans and marked their journey to the quarter-finals. The host nation’s showcased their status as a rising powerhouse in the world of Minifootball, earning widespread recognition for their impressive skill and resilience on the field.