MUMBAI: Zee Sports will telecast live the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup, the 10-day, 12-team tournament, which will take place on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana beach from 2 to 12 November 2006.

The participation of international players such as Frenchman Eric Cantona, legendary Spanish strikers Michel and Julio Salinas and Brazilian stars such as Romario, Junior and Zico has helped to expand television coverage to large audiences in over 170 countries worldwide, making Beach Soccer one of the fastest growing professional sports in the world and converting it into a major showcase for international commercial opportunity.

The biggest names in beach soccer are now preparing to face each other on the Copacabana beach from 2 to 12 November. They include Portugal's raft of stars - Alan, Madjer, Hernani and Belchior - brothers Federico, Santigao and Ezequiel Hilaire of Argentina and also the Japanese sharpshooter Takeshi Kawaharazuka.

Since 2005, Beach Soccer has been a part of the Fifa family. In May 2005, the first Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup was staged on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.