Frank Christian
This month marks the 2024 Futsal World Cup, bringing the lesser-known sport of futsal into the public eye.
While primarily favored in South America, futsal captivates soccer enthusiasts globally due to its distinct gameplay and rules.
The Sporting News details futsal’s fundamentals, its differences from traditional soccer, and the locations for the upcoming World Cup.
Understanding Futsal
Futsal resembles soccer but is conducted on a hard court, like those used for basketball, rather than on grass or turf. The games typically occur indoors.
Each squad consists of five players, including one goalkeeper, with an allowance for unlimited substitutions. The smaller space necessitates a focus on ball control, teamwork, and technical skills.
Futsal was created in 1930 at a YMCA in Uruguay by Juan Carlos Ceriani as a way to play soccer on basketball courts. The sport gained immense popularity following Uruguay’s triumph in the first FIFA World Cup that same year.
Nowadays, futsal is enjoyed widely across South America, Central Europe, and parts of Asia, boasting around 12 million players globally. Many elite soccer stars attribute their early development to futsal, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar.
Argentina came out flying in their #FutsalWC opener!
HIGHLIGHTS
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 16, 2024
Origin of the Name ‘Futsal’
The term “futsal” derives from the Portuguese words “futebol de salao” or the Spanish “futbol sala,” both meaning “indoor football” in English.
The World Futsal Association (AMF), which oversees the sport, was established in 1971 as the International Futsal Federation (FIFUSA) in Rio de Janeiro, later rebranding in 2002.
The title “futsal” sparked initial controversy with FIFA, as they felt it was too similar to “futbol,” but the name was officially registered in 1985.
Basic Rules of Futsal
Futsal follows the Laws of the Game set by FIFA, which closely align with standard soccer rules: the objective is to score more goals than the opponent.
Games occur in a five-on-five format, including goalkeepers. Teams can have a roster of up to 12 players and can make unlimited substitutions, even during active play. A ‘power play’ allows an outfield player to take the place of the goalkeeper, a common strategy when a team is behind.
The playing area measures between 82 ft. by 52 ft. and 138 ft. by 82 ft. Matches consist of two 20-minute halves with a 15-minute break. Each team is entitled to a one-minute timeout within each half.
Fouls accumulate similarly to basketball; once a team reaches five fouls in a half, a direct free-kick is awarded for subsequent fouls from a spot 10 meters out from the goal.
Futsal has no offside rules. Players can receive yellow and red cards; a player sent off will leave the game but the team will play with one less player only for a two-minute period.
When your keeper can save shots and score goals…#FutsalWC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 16, 2024
Comparing Futsal and Soccer
A key distinction between futsal and soccer lies in their playing surfaces.
Futsal is played indoors on hard courts, while soccer takes place on grass or turf fields. Futsal is generally faster-paced, yields higher scores, and involves fewer players on each team.
The game emphasizes individual skill and ball control. The futsal ball itself is also designed to foster a style that highlights agility and creativity.
When Ricardinho caught everybody by surprise…@selecaoportugal | #FutsalWC pic.twitter.com/VZ8l6pgkmw
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) September 16, 2024
Differences in Balls Used
The ball used in futsal is a size 4, smaller than the traditional size 5 soccer ball. The specifications are:
Size 4: 24-26 inches in circumference, weighing between 350-390 grams.
Size 5: 27-28 inches in circumference, weighing between 400-450 grams.
The futsal ball is typically harder and has a lower bounce, suitable for hard surfaces and focused on close controlled skills.
Details on the 2024 Futsal World Cup
The 2024 Futsal World Cup is set to take place in Uzbekistan, commencing on September 14 and concluding with the final match on October 6.
The inaugural Futsal World Cup was hosted in 1989 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where Brazil emerged victorious with the Netherlands taking second place. In the following World Cup in 1992, the United States secured a second-place finish after finishing third in the initial tournament.
Brazil holds the record for the most Futsal World Cup titles, having won five out of nine tournaments, although they have not secured a title in the last two competitions. Portugal is the defending champion, having triumphed in Lithuania in 2021, besting the previous titleholders, Argentina.
