Futsal

Futsal is an official format of small sided football that is recognised and supported by FIFA and UEFA, with World and European Championships for clubs and national teams. Futsal began in Uruguay and Brazil where overcrowding and a shortage of playing pitches led to the emergence of this sport and in 1936 the first rules emerged. Futsal was the name chosen by FIFA, which is Spanish for ‘football’ (Futbol) and ‘hall’ (Sala).

According to FIFA statistics over 25 million people play Futsal worldwide. The game develops player’s close ball skills because of the size of the hard court pitch, speed of play, rules and the smaller heavier ball. It also helps to improve creativity, movement, fitness, technique and passing in confined spaces.

Futsal is especially popular in the some of the most recognised footballing countries such as Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Italy. Professionals such as Christiano Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho and Robinho attribute their ability to play football at the highest level to the skills set that they acquired playing Futsal.

For more information on Futsal click here for the FA Futsal Factsheet