The island country was selected to host the 16-team event by the FIFA Executive Committee at its meeting in Moroccan city Marrakech.

Jeffrey Webb, the President of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), said it is "an honour and privilege" to welcome the Beach Soccer World Cup to the region.

"Congratulations to the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) for their timely efforts in securing the bid to host the next FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup," he added.

"We wish them all the best in the ongoing preparations for this historic event and look forward to extending the Caribbean's warmth and hospitality to all qualified teams in 2017."

The Bahamas has hosted several sporting events in recent history, including the 2014 International Association of Athletics Federations World Relays, last year's CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship and the 59th FIFA Congress in 2009.

"This is fantastic and welcomed news, not only for the football family of the BFA, but the Bahamas in general," said BFA President Anton Sealey.

"It is unquestionably a tremendous honour and privilege to be chosen to host a FIFA competition and the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in particular.

"On behalf of a grateful Government and people of The Bahamas, I wish to thank CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb and the FIFA Executive Committee for the confidence reposed in The Bahamas to host this prestigious event, which undoubtedly will accrue tremendous economic benefit to the country."

The 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup will be the first time the Caribbean region has hosted a senior FIFA tournament ©Getty Images




The tournament has taken place every year since its establishment in 1995, when it was originally supervised by Beach Soccer World Wide and was called the Beach Soccer World Championship.