Futsal is the only form of five-a-side football that is officially approved by FIFA. It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world, is played in over 100 countries and boasts millions of players around the world.
The name "Futsal" comes from the merging of the Spanish/Portuguese words for football (Futbol or Futebol) and the French or Spanish word for "Indoor" (Salon or Sala). Following changes at international level between FIFA (Federation Internationale Football Association) and FIFUSA (Federation of Internationale De Futbol Sala) the sport became united with the outdoor version of the game, in 1989.
The game of Futsal is played on a firm, flat surface on a court ranging in size from that of a standard basketball court to the full FIFA International size of 42 x 25 metres. However, in developing the game at grassroots level, Futsal could be played on any smooth playing surface, indoor or out. Synthetic or grass pitches are an ideal alternative.
The special feature of the game is the unique properties of the ball, which has a low rebound. The game develops close individual ball skills as the court is small and players are forced into limited space & option scenarios.
Games are usually fast-paced, with players receiving more touches and are constantly placed in demanding decision making, limited space situations that they would face on a greatly reduced scale playing 11-a side outdoor soccer. Because the sport is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing, it is an exciting game for children as well as adults.
The game in Australia had its foundations in Sydney at the Revesby YMCA in 1972. Dawn Gilligan introduced the game to Australia, frustrated after yet another wet outdoor soccer season. Since then the game has slowly taken off and there is now around 30,000 registered Futsal players around Australia.
In 2004, FIFA declared that all National Associations take responsibility for Futsal in their countries. The FFA has therefore formed a National Futsal Commission to be responsible for all Futsal activities in Australia.
FFA Member Federations - Futsal
Football Federation Australia - Futsal
Football NSW - Futsal
Football Federation SA - Futsal
Football Queensland - Futsal
Capital Football (ACT) - Futsal
Football Federation Tasmania - Futsal
Football West (WA) - Futsal
Northern NSW Football - Futsal
Click here for the UEFA Graphical Guide to the Game.
Playing Futsal allows you to touch the ball nearly twelve times more than playing football. The game places considerable demand on technique, movement, tactical awareness and fitness. Futsal is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking, and pinpoint passing. The speed of play is such that you are forced to make quicker technical and tactical decisions.
Click here to visit the Official Website of the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup - Brazil.
History
One of the innovations among FIFA’s world competitions is the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
To date, the FIFA Futsal World Cup has been held five times:
- Netherlands 1989
- Hong Kong 1992
- Spain 1996
- Guatemala 2000
- Chinese Taipei 2004
Brazil proved to be the dominant force at the first three series, winning in the Netherlands in 1989, Hong Kong in 1992 and Spain in 1996.
At the fourth event in Guatemala 2000, they were stopped from lifting the trophy a fourth time. Spain became the new Futsal World Champions, after beating Brazil in a thrilling final. They followed up their first Futsal championship title with a second title in 2004 Chinese Tapei, this time pipping Italy at the post.
The FIFA Futsal World Cup is fourth in the list of oldest FIFA competitions, after the FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA World Youth Cup (U-20) and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Ever since the first competition in 1989, sixteen teams have taken part in each event, which is made up of 40 matches in three different phases.
Brazil have played the most matches in the Futsal World Cup (40), followed by Spain (35), Argentina (29), and Holland (26). The two teams to have been world champions – Brazil (33 victories, 4 draws, 3 defeats) and Spain (28 victories, 2 draws, 5 defeats) – are also the most successful teams overall
Laws of the Game Summary
- 2 x 5 players on the pitch
- 2 x 20 minutes of play per match
- No clock stoppage for substitutions
- Max. 7 substitutes per team; unlimited substitutions permitted
- Penalty and second penalty kicks
- The goalkeeper is allowed to play all over the pitch the goalkeeper can throw the ball beyond the halfway line with no further restrictions
- Accumulated fouls: the sixth direct free kick is taken from either the second penalty mark or even closer
- One one-minute time-out is allowed in each half It is all about speed and entertainment
Although FIFA acknowledges the importance of Futsal as a game in its own right, it has resisted the temptation to diverge too far from the principles of 11-a-side football, designing the rules to ensure continuity with the classic outdoor game.
Future
FIFA has no doubt that Futsal is, and will continue to be an important and attractive part of football.
The growing level of interest in Futsal is proof of that, as is the constantly increasing number of entries for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. A total of 46 countries entered for Spain 1996, but this figure increased to 70 for Guatemala 2000 and to 86 for Chinese Taipei 2004.
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