Brazil & Futsal

Traditionally seen as a Brazilian game, futsal originated at the Montevideo YMCA in Uruguay in the 1930's. It was later adapted, closer to the game we see today, at a YMCA in San Paulo Brazil.

The games next big step was Rio in 1954 when the different Brazilian States unified their rules. Followed in 1974 when the International Federation of Futebol de Saláo or Fifusa was set up in Sán Paulo. In 1989 FIFA took over took over, split with Fifusa and coined the word FUTSAL. The game has worldwide expanded ever since

Futsal has grown hugely in Brazil since 1980. The growth has paralleled the loss of playing fields in the big cities. Rivalino, Zico, Juninho, Ronaldo all originate from a Futsal background. The 2002 FIFA World Club Championships between Vasco de Gamma and Corinthians had 18 of the 22 starters originated from Futsal

But did you know?

The Brazilian Futsal federation has registered well over 160.000 new players since 1991

Many Brazilian oil rigs have Futsal courts on them!!

Futsal around the world (a few big numbers)

• Futsal became part of FIFA in ’87. Now, more than 150 countries are registered participants within FIFA.
• 20000 teams enter an annual tournament in Iran every year
• A Russian Futsal Cup final attracted a televised record of 32 million viewers.
• Over 100,000 people watched 40 matches at the 2002 futsal World Cup finals in Guatemala.