U.S. Beach Soccer National Team failed to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in a campaign marred by inconsistency, missed opportunities, and an embarrassing loss to their former coach. In the tournament opener, the U.S. fell 5–4 to host nation Bahamas—led by Francis Farberoff, who was dismissed by U.S. Soccer less than a year ago. Farberoff’s Bahamas side, though less resourced and less experienced, shocked the Americans with a tactical and emotional win that set the tone for the group at the 2025 CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship.
Bahamas went on to win the group forcing the US to face against arch rival El Salvador in the Semi’s. The game ended up a highly defensive affair as the final score ended in a draw. This stalemate continued through extra-time and went to penalties. In the end, El Salvador walked away on the 8th shooter. Outside of the fact that Beach Soccer has an average of 9 goals per game, which is equivalent to the total number of goals the US scored in the first round, compared to El Salvador’s 20 goals, they stifled a potent attack. But, in the end, the loss to their former coach set the stage for their ultimate exit.
Although the U.S. ultimately defeated the Bahamas in the third-place match, it was too little, too late. El Salvador took the title, while Guatemala made history by qualifying for its first-ever Beach Soccer World Cup. The U.S., once considered a regional power, was left watching from the sidelines, forced to confront deeper structural issues within its program.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Play!
Nick Perera and Chris Albiston were two of the few bright spots for the U.S., showing technical skill and leadership throughout the tournament. However, their efforts couldn’t overcome a team that lacked identity and cohesion in critical moments.
The loss to Farberoff in the opening game was especially symbolic. His ability to lead the Bahamas to a historic victory—on home sand and against his former team—exposed glaring missteps in U.S. Soccer’s handling of its beach program, again. The optics of being beaten by a coach they let go, only to see him outmaneuver them tactically. It points to systemic issues in leadership and development.
U.S. Beach Soccer National Team failed to qualify for the World Cup! We need to repeat this, The U.S. Beach Soccer National Team failed to qualify!
For a country with significant resources and talent, missing the World Cup is more than a disappointment. It’s a wake-up call. With regional rivals rising, U.S. Soccer must rethink its beach soccer strategy from the ground up.
