futsal

Futsal is a fast-paced five-a-side indoor football variant played on a hard court, using a smaller, low-bounce ball and no use of the air. It emphasizes close ball control, quick passing, and improvisation in tight spaces, and it is widely played around the world.

Teams consist of five players each, including a designated goalkeeper. Substitutions are unrestricted and can be made on the fly. Matches are typically divided into two 20-minute periods with a running clock, and the game has no offside rule. When the ball leaves the playing area, play restarts with a kick-in rather than a throw-in.

Futsal is played on a hard indoor surface, such as a sports hall or converted court, with boundary lines. Players wear indoor shoes. The ball is smaller and travels with less bounce than a standard football, which encourages short passes, precise ball handling, and creative finishing.

International governance is shared by multiple organizations. FIFA conducts many national and regional futsal competitions, including its world cup, while AMF (Asociación Mundial de Fútbol de Salón) runs its own world championships in regions that align with that body. National associations generally affiliate with one governing body to organize domestic leagues and national teams.

Futsal originated in the 1930s in Uruguay and was developed in Brazil and other South American countries before spreading internationally. It is regarded as a development-focused sport that enhances technique and decision-making for players, and it has become a staple in youth training and professional leagues worldwide.