12 Fun Facts about Futsal
You know already that futsal is an exciting small-sided game played indoors. It’s a fast-paced sport that looks and feels a lot like soccer. But it has its own unique history and attributes. We thought we’d share some fun facts about this thrilling game we love.
#1
The sport originated in Uruguay in 1930. A local coach in Montevideo developed futsal after getting tired of having to cancel outdoor games due to weather conditions. He moved his players inside for a five-per-side game. Around the same time, in Brazil, small-sided games were popular too. But they were played out in the streets due to a shortage of stadiums for the many youngsters wanting to play futbol.
#2
Futsal was first played internationally in 1965 when Paraguay won the South American Cup.
#3
FIFA estimates that around 30 million people now play futsal globally. Some of our own players are going to travel to Europe later this year to play for the USYF National Team.
#4
The first Futsal World Cup Championship was held in 1989 and 47 different countries have competed in the FIFA events. Brazil has won five of the eight tournaments. The reigning champ Argentina will fight to keep its title in 2020 in Lithuania.
#5
Futsal was a sport in the youth Olympic Games in 2018 in Argentina. This event also represented the first FIFA women’s futsal tourney. Brazil (U-18 men) and Portugal (U-!8 women) were the first teams to ever win Olympic gold in futsal.
#6
Spain is also a big winner in futsal. Their team has won seven of the 11 UEFA European Futsal tournaments.
#7
The name “futsal” is what FIFA labeled the game in 1989 when officially recognizing the sport. The game was originally known as “fútbol sala” in Spanish and “futebol de salão” in Portuguese, literally meaning indoor football.
#8
Youth players for many of the world’s top clubs (Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, etc.) play futsal.
#9
Futsal is played on a smaller field with a smaller, heavier ball. It’s estimated this nets players 210% more touches on the ball (than in arena soccer). Plus, with the narrow pitches, a mistaken pass is a real problem as the opponents quickly take possession.
#10
A futsal game is played on a 40x20m (800sq.m.) court, which is nearly twice the size of a basketball court 28x15m (420 sq.m.).
#11
Futsal is fast-paced and tiring. No wonder the games are played in 20-minutes halves. Some youth teams will even shorten the halves further depending on the age of the players!
#12
A national professional futsal league was established in the U.S. in 2016 and launched in Spring 2017. In the 2018-19 season nine teams competed nationally: San Jose Legends, Sporting Maryland Futsal Club, New Jersey Copa Futsal Club, Safira Futsal Club, Saint George Futsal, Toronto United Futsal Club, Di Bufala Futsal Club, Bay Area Futsal Club, and San Francisco Bay City Futsal Club.
Finally, futsal is not only a winter sport. Although played indoors, it is played year-round. Our own winter training sessions are open to registration now! Join us.