World Cup history · 1989

Futsal’s World Cup

Real football fact

The facts

Futsal began in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930, when Juan Carlos Ceriani made up a five-a-side game for indoor courts.
The first FIFA Futsal World Cup was played in the Netherlands in 1989, and Brazil won it.
Futsal’s small, low-bounce ball rewards close control with the sole of the foot.

1930: He wrote rules for YMCA courts, borrowing ideas from basketball, handball and water polo.
Ball: Drop it from 2 metres: by FIFA’s futsal Law 2 it must bounce back between 50 and 65 cm. It is 62–64 cm around and weighs 400–440 g. A top grass ball (FIFA Quality Pro) bounces back 120–165 cm.
Size: A futsal court for international matches is 38–42 m long and 20–25 m wide, with 5 players a side (one is the goalkeeper). An international grass pitch is 100–110 m long and 64–75 m wide, with 11 a side.
Spots: Besides the goalkeeper, a futsal team usually has a defender (fixo), two wingers (alas) and a forward (pivô). Outfield players can switch positions at any time.
1989: 16 teams took part. In the final in Rotterdam, Brazil beat the hosts, the Netherlands, 2–1.

Small-sided games mean more touches. Every futsal skill helps you on grass too.