Almaty is set to host the World University Futsal Championships ©FISU

Almaty is set to host the World University Futsal Championships with group matches beginning tomorrow in the Kazakhstan city.

The host nation will be represented in both the men’s and women’s competition.

Kazakhstan will face the challenge of the Czech Republic, Belarus and New Zealand in Group B of the men’s event.

Russia feature in Group A with Argentina, France and Slovakia set to provide opposition.

Group C includes Thailand, Germany, Ukraine and Croatia, while Group D is comprised of Portugal, Israel, China and Poland.

A group of nine teams are scheduled to compete in the women’s event, with Russia, Canada, Ukraine, Israel and Poland battling each other in Group A.

The Almaty Arena is one of two competition venues which will be used at the Championships ©FISU Almaty 2018
The Almaty Arena is one of two competition venues which will be used at the Championships ©FISU Almaty 2018

Kazakhstan, France, New Zealand and Portugal are in Group B.

The men’s tournament is due to begin tomorrow with Russia taking on Slovakia at the Halyk Arena, one of two competition venues being used.

An Opening Ceremony will then take place at the Almaty Arena, before the second Group A match and two Group B ties.

Ukraine and Poland will meet in the opening women’s match, with the second Group A tie seeing Canada clash with Israel.

The International University Sports Federation event is due to conclude on  August 26.