Taking part at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup™ has become second nature to Belarus. The European nation, who only began their adventure on sand in 2008, are gearing up to take part in a third successive tournament when they travel to the UAE in February.

Belarus’s first shot at making the tournament came in 2008, when they made it out of Group D of UEFA qualifying following a final-day win over Romania, but would fall 4-3 to Italy in the knockout phase.

A year later Vadzim Bokach, now a two-time Beach Soccer World Cup veteran and the nation’s most-capped player, pulled on the red and green for the first time.

“I always liked football, so since childhood I played with the ball whenever possible,” Bokach told FIFA. “I made my debut in the national team at the Euro Beach Soccer League in the city of Beziers. We did not have much experience performing at a high level, but through desire and hard work we achieved good results and big victories.”

The victories in question came over the Netherlands and Czech Republic respectively, as Belarus made a good fist of their time participating in Europe’s premier beach soccer competition. For the 10 years that followed, they battled to compete at the Beach Soccer World Cup, with the breakthrough eventually coming in 2019. Bokach scored three goals during qualifying, including one in a crucial 3-2 victory over Portugal – who would go on to win the upcoming tournament – to help ensure Belarus of a third-place finish and a spot at the finals.

Bokach and Co kicked off their Paraguay 2019 campaign in perfect style, defeating United Arab Emirates 5-1 in Luque to top Group C. Defeat to Senegal and a heart-breaking 5-3 loss to Russia, in which Belarus led twice, would bring to an end their maiden voyage.

“We represented our country with great pride,” Bokach said when reflecting on the tournament. “We lacked luck and perhaps experience of competing at the World Cup.”

Belarus would quickly gain further experience, though, qualifying for a second consecutive world finals, where they would again finish third in Group C, before finishing as runners-up in the Euro Beach Soccer League for the very first time in 2021.

Further ground was broken as they defeated former world champions France in their play-off for a place at UAE 2024 Dubai™. “I think the victory was deserved”, said Bokach. “At the World Cup selection in Baku we were more motivated, and at that time a stronger team.”

Now the veteran is gearing up to travel to his third straight Beach Soccer World Cup just over three weeks after his 40th birthday, where Senegal, Colombia and Japan lay in wait in Group C.

“At the World Cup we have a very equal group,” he said. “All the teams have excellent performers and extensive experience performing at the international level. It will be interesting to meet with such teams. Each has their own style of play.

“The goal of our team is to move forward from match to match. I would like to go as far as possible in the tournament.”