What is Futsal: Everything You Need to Know

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What is Futsal?

Futsal is a popular, fast-paced variant of football played indoors. Originating in South America, futsal is now played in over 100 countries, with an estimated 12 million people participating globally. With 5 players per team, a smaller ball, and a hard-surfaced playing court, futsal places a strong emphasis on technical skills and flair. Players are forced to find creative ways to outwit opponents in the small playing area. Read on to learn all about its history, rules, competitions, and the top clubs and players.

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The history of futsal


South American origins

Futsal can trace its roots back to an Argentine Uruguayan named Juan Carlos Ceriani. Ceriani was working as a teacher in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when he developed futsal as a sport that could be played indoors at YMCAs – a response to the frequent flooding of Uruguay's outdoor football pitches during the rainy season.

Although football is the sport most closely related to futsal, Ceriani drew inspiration from other sports, such as basketball, handball, and even water polo. These sports influenced elements like the size of the goals and courts, as well as the number of players per team.


The spread of futsal in the 20th century

Futsal quickly became popular across South America, but it was in Brazil where it really took off. It was particularly popular in São Paulo, where the first official rule book was published in 1936. One of the main reasons for its popularity was the sport's ability to be played year-round, regardless of the weather, and its accessibility.

It was no surprise, then, that futsal spread in the 1950s to countries with colder climates, particularly within the Soviet Union. This popularity was not matched in western Europe until the 1970s, when the game reached Portugal and Spain thanks to a boost in South American immigration.

The International Federation for Futebol de Sala (FIFUSA) was formed in Brazil in 1971.

In 1989, FIFUSA organised two World Championships in Brazil and Spain, respectively, before FIFA officially took control of the rapidly growing game. FIFA's oversight brought about certain rule changes, such as unlimited substitutions and a slight increase in ball size. FIFA's stewardship solidified global interest in the game.


Futsal in the modern day

Since the turn of the millennium, teams from Asia have become more prominent in international futsal. Iran achieved a thrilling 3rd place finish at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2016, and Kazakhstan scored a 4th place finish four years later.

Today, futsal is hugely popular around the world. Over 19 million people tuned in to watch the 2022 Futsal Euros, where Portugal defeated Russia in the final.


Futsal positions

In futsal, like any team sport, players can occupy many different positions:

  • Goalkeeper. A goalkeeper is the last line of defence between the opposition and a goal! Goalkeepers are responsible for blocking and saving shots and are the only players on the pitch allowed to use their hands. To encourage the quick play futsal is known for, goalkeepers can keep possession of the ball for no more than four seconds.
  • Defender. A defender's primary role is to protect their goal through a combination of tackling and marking. However, the small court size means these players are expected to be far more involved in offensive play than defenders in traditional football teams.
  • Winger. Known for their creative flair, wingers contribute both offensively and defensively. They use their pace and trickery to challenge opposition defenders, while also racing back to their own half to fulfil their defensive duties.
  • Pivot. Typically the most forward player on the court, pivots are the team's main goal-scoring threat. Their shooting skills and link-up play with the wingers can often be the difference between victory and defeat.
  • Universal. A player who can fill in for any other outfield position (any position other than goalkeeper.) They need to be versatile, with an excellent understanding of the game and strong positional intelligence.


What equipment do you need to play futsal?

All you need to play futsal informally is a size 4 ball and a space to play. But, if you want to play by the official rules, you'll need the following equipment:

  • An indoor court/pitch. For non-international matches, futsal courts should measure between 25-45 metres long by 16-25 metres wide. For international matches, futsal courts should measure 38-42 metres in length by 20-25 metres in width. The surface must be wooden or another suitable synthetic hard surface, such as vinyl or laminate.


  • Ball. Futsal requires a weighted size 4 ball which typically has a circumference of 63.5-66cm
  • Goals and nets. Futsal goals should be 3 x 2 metres, complete with futsal netting. If dedicated futsal goals are unavailable, handball goals or hockey goals can be used as an alternative.
  • Indoor football shoes. In professional futsal, indoor football shoes are required. These are designed for hard indoor surfaces, with flat soles instead of the spikes or studs you find on traditional football boots. In informal games, standard trainers can be worn.
  • Shin pads. Just like in regular football, shin pads are a necessary addition to protect players from injury.
  • Shirts and shorts. As with most team sports, futsal requires both teams to have kits with numbers on the back. These typically consist of short-sleeved shirts and shorts.
  • Futsal carry bags. Though not essential during the game, futsal carry bags are useful for transporting futsal goals and other equipment between venues.


What are the rules of futsal?

Futsal has several rules designed to promote a fast-paced, entertaining, and skilful game. Here are the main rules of futsal:

  • Futsal must be played on a marked pitch where the ball can go out of play.
  • The game consists of two 20-minute halves. There is no added time in futsal; instead, the clock stops when the ball goes out of play or there is stoppage in play.
  • Each team is allowed one 60-second timeout per half.
  • When the ball goes out of play, it must be kicked back in. The player performing the kick-in must not let their foot cross the touchline.
  • The player in possession of the ball during kick-ins, free-kicks, corners and goal kicks must restart the game within four seconds, or the opposing team will be granted possession. Goalkeepers are also not allowed to keep possession for more than four seconds.
  • Players must keep five metres away from a player taking a set piece.
  • There are always 10 players on the pitch, five for each team. The total squad size for each team including substitutes however is 12.
  • There are unlimited rolling substitutions.
  • There is no offside rule in futsal to help facilitate attacking play.
  • When a player is sent off (for receiving two yellow cards or one red card), their team must remain with four players until two minutes have elapsed. This is also the case if the opposing team scores, at which point they are allowed to have 5 players again.
  • If a team gives away more than five direct free kicks during one half, they will be forced to concede a sixth. During this sixth free kick, the defending team is not allowed to position any player (except the goalkeeper) between the ball and the goal.
  • There are four match officials in professional futsal: three referees and one timekeeper. Two of the referees are positioned on opposite sidelines, while the third keeps track of substitutions and foul counts.


What are the main international futsal tournaments?

The most well-known international futsal tournament is the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the equivalent of the FIFA World Cup. There are also futsal versions of the UEFA European Championships and the Copa América, which are also highly popular.


FIFA Futsal World Cup

The FIFA Futsal World Cup occurs every four years, starting with its inaugural tournament in 1989, when Brazil claimed the title against the Netherlands.

Brazil continued their winning streak over the next two editions of the tournament before their dominance was ended by Spain in Guatemala City in 2000. The Brazil-Spanish duopoly continued until 2016, when Argentina claimed victory in Colombia. Four years later, in 2020, victory in Vilnius belonged to Portugal.

The 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup will be held in Uzbekistan and feature 24 teams from across the world. Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France will be making their futsal World Cup debuts.


UEFA European Futsal Championship

The UEFA European Futsal Championship began in 1996 with just six teams (Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands) and saw the host, Spain, defeat Russia in the final. Two years later, the futsal shoe was on the other foot as Russia avenged themselves in Granada. The two-year format continued, along with an expansion in 1999 that increased the number of teams to eight.

In 2010, the number of teams was increased to 12, and in 2018, it was expanded again, this time to 16. The exact teams participating in each tournament would vary depending on the results of qualifying. The 2018 edition also saw the tournament move to a four-year cycle. During this time, Spain dominated, although Italy and Portugal each picked up two titles.

After 2018, the tournament was moved to every four years with the number of competing teams expanded to 16. The next UEFA European Futsal Championship is scheduled to take place in Latvia and Lithuania in 2026, marking the first time that two nations will share hosting duties for the European Futsal Championship.


Copa América de Futsal

The FIFA-organised Copa América de Futsal began in 1992 with a Brazilian victory, although other South American tournaments existed since the 1960s. There is no qualifying for the Copa América de Futsal, instead all 10 members of CONMEBOL enter automatically.

Unsurprisingly, Brazil has dominated the competition, winning 11 titles since its inception, with Argentina taking the other three. The only other teams to make it to the final during this time were Paraguay and Uruguay, although neither managed to win.


Futsal Finalissima

Launched in 2022, the Futsal Finalissima is relatively new addition to the international futsal calendar. The tournament consists of just four teams: the finalists from the previous editions of the UEFA European Futsal Championship and the Copa América de Futsal. Portugal won the inaugural tournament by beating Spain on penalties in the final.


What are the main club futsal tournaments?

The most well-known club futsal tournament is the UEFA Futsal Champions League. There are also other popular club competitions, such as the Primera División de Futsal and Copa Libertadores de Futsal, which both have devoted followings.


UEFA Futsal Champions League

The crown jewel of the European club game, the UEFA Futsal Champions League, pits the best teams on the continent (along with those from transcontinental leagues that are UEFA members such as Kazakhstan) against each other. Beginning in 1986 as the Futsal European Clubs Championship, it was rebranded as the UEFA Futsal Cup in 2001 and then again to its current name in 2018.

Spanish teams have been the most successful, with 13 total wins, including victories in in 2024, 2023, and 2022. Madrid-based Inter Fútbol Sala (also known as Inter Movistar) is the most successful team in UEFA Futsal Champions League history, with five wins, followed by Barcelona with four wins.

Portuguese, Russian and Kazakh teams have also enjoyed success, claiming eight wins between them. Belgian and Italian teams have one win each, while Azerbaijani outfit Araz Naxçivan has claimed two third-place finishes.


Primera División de Futsal

Given the success of Spanish teams in European competition, it's no surprise that Spain's top futsal league, the Primera División de Futsal, is a gripping watch full of world-class quality. Founded in 1989, Inter Movistar is by far the country's most successful team, with 14 top-flight titles – double the number of the next most successful team, Barcelona.

Other competitive teams in the division include ElPozo Murcia, which has five titles to its name, while Club de Fútbol Sala Bisontes Castellón and the former Castilla-La Mancha FS both have two. Surprisingly, the 2023-24 season saw a new champion in FS Cartagena.


Copa Libertadores de Futsal

Functioning as the South American equivalent of the UEFA Futsal Champions League, the Copa Libertadores de Futsal holds its own in terms of excitement and skill. Though it technically began in 1970, the current format only started in 2000.

Given Brazil's success on the international scene, it's unsurprising that Brazilian teams have been just as dominant on the continent. Carlos Barbosa and Jaraguá have six trophies each, while the only non-Brazilian teams to ever claim the title are the Argentine club San Lorenzo and the Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño.

Various clubs from Venezuela, Peru, Uruguay, and Colombia have all reached the final before falling at the final hurdle.


What is the best national futsal team in the world?

According to the official FIFA men's futsal rankings, Brazil is the best futsal team in the world – and given their international success, it's hard to argue with that. They are followed by an ever-improving Portuguese team, which claimed its first World Cup title in 2021, firmly establishing itself as a futsal powerhouse. Spain rounds out the top three, while Iran is Asia's highest-ranked team.


What is the best futsal club side in the world?

There is no official ranking for club futsal sides, but because Mallorca-based Palma Futsal won the last two editions of the UEFA Futsal Champions League, they can be considered the world's best league side. Inter Movistar should also be noted for its historic successes as well as its current quality.

Other top teams include Sporting Clube de Portugal from Lisbon, Barcelona, Benfica (both offshoots of their well-known footballing siblings), and Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan. Riga Futsal Club from Latvia, KMN Dobovec from Slovenia, and FK Lučenec from Slovakia are also competitive on the world stage.

Though banned from European competition for the time being, Russian club Dina Moskva is also worth a mention, having been highly successful during the 1990s in the unofficial competitions that preceded the creation of the UEFA Futsal Cup.


Who is the best futsal player of all time?

The best futsal player of all time is the Brazilian winger Falcão. Over the course of his 30-year career, the legend from São Paulo State scored over 1,000 goals for various club sides across Brazil and over 400 goals for his country. His trophy cabinet includes countless domestic honours and two Futsal World Cups. Falcão has even been named the best futsal player in the world on four separate occasions at the Futsal Awards.


Other futsal greats

  • Ricardinho- Nicknamed "The Magician," Ricardinho has played for clubs in Japan, Russia, Latvia, Portugal, and Spain, including the renowned Inter Movistar.
  • The golden trio- goalkeeper Luis Amado, winger Javi Rodríguez, and defender Kike formed the core of a Spanish golden generation that broke Brazilian futsal hegemony in the early 2000s.
  • Konstantin Eremenko- holds a UEFA Futsal Euros record thanks to his 44-goal haul during qualifying and the competition proper as he led his country to victory in the 1999 edition of the tournament. Sadly, Eremenko was forced to retire early due to a heart problem in 2001, and his life was tragically cut short by a heart attack in 2010 at the age of just 39.
  • Football stars- Although they are not futsal players, the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Xavi, Iniesta, Pelé, Figo, and Ronaldinho, among others, have all talked about how playing futsal when they were younger helped them develop their footballing skills.


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