# Chapter 10: Women's Futsal

Futsal · Chapter 10: Women's Futsal · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/futsal/interesting-facts/chapter-10-womens-futsal/)

Ten sub-levels about women's futsal: the first Women's World Cup, the early world tournaments, the EURO, Asia and the players who shaped the game.

## 10.101 Philippines 2025 by the Numbers

FIFA's analysts on the first Women's World Cup: 210 goals, 105 first-touch finishes, Brazil the oldest squad and Canada's 100 substitutions a game.

### Test 1: Data from 2025

- Attacking-phase goals made up 31% of all goals. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- In the other 30 matches the team that scored first won. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- That was six years above the tournament average. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Tanzania averaged 38. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Argentina's Lara Villalba and Silvina Nava were swapped 24 times. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Spain also won the ball back faster than anyone. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil scored ten goals from kick-in phases, more than any team. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 20, 27 and 33. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 28, 32, 105 and 210. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Teams that were already winning scored 68% of the goals. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))

## 10.102 Power Plays and Pressing, 2025

What the first Women's World Cup showed about power plays, pressing and winning the ball back.

### Test 1: Tactics in 2025

- Five of the six goals came from close range. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Close-range finishes in the final third worked far better. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Power plays were mostly used by teams already losing. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- They moved and finished well with the extra player. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil set four players to defend against it. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- They had the fastest average regain time of the tournament. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil closed passing lines early instead. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 6, 10, 40 and 65. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025: four key observations' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 4.6, 13 and 17.3. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil's coach credited his defence with neutralising it. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))

## 10.103 The Women's World Ranking

FIFA's women's futsal ranking, launched in 2024: an Elo system, a record 286 internationals in 2025 and the new names at the top.

### Test 1: Rankings

- The first edition listed 69 teams. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025); FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- Points are added for wins and taken away for defeats. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- 80 of them came after the August ranking. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- The USA, England, Senegal and India entered too. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- No team entered or left the top ten. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- Brazil gained 88.6 points from winning the World Cup. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- They were 26th. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 111, 206 and 286. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 5th, 19th, 26th and 47th. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- Brazil were world champions in both. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))

## 10.104 Diwa and the Hosts

The Philippines' first FIFA tournament: a mascot from folklore, a school fun day, FIFA's investment and the hosts' clever kick-ins.

### Test 1: The hosts in 2025

- She is shown as a magical girl connected to nature. (Source: FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- She was unveiled at a community event. (Source: FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- The event brought her to schoolchildren. (Source: FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- FIFA has put more than USD 100 million into futsal since 2016. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- The hosts were the most creative team from kick-ins. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil were in the bottom half for kick-ins per game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- The pots were based on the world ranking. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- 30 August, 15 September, 24 September and 21 November. (Source: FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 1989, 2005 and 2025. (Source: FIFA, 'Star-studded memories of the first Futsal World Cup' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- Her name and design come from the diwata of Filipino folklore. (Source: FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))

## 10.105 Asia's Women's Cup, 2025

Hohhot 2025: Japan's first Asian title on penalties, Iran's top scorer and three tickets to the Philippines.

### Test 1: Asia's championship

- It was Japan's first Asian title. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- They finally won at the third attempt. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- She scored and set up a goal in the final. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- She plays for Iran. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- She was 29. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- Iran beat the hosts China. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- The hosts, the Philippines, qualified automatically. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- Japan led twice, fell behind in extra time and won on penalties. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- 22, 24 and 29. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))
- Japan won the shoot-out 3-2. (Source: AFC, 'Japan edge Thailand to end title wait' (the-afc.com, 17 May 2025))

## 10.106 Brazil's First Women's Crown

How Brazil prepared for the first Women's World Cup: 36 months, 48 players watched, a 43-year-old veteran and two goalkeepers only.

### Test 1: Brazil in 2025

- Their coach called it a long preparation. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Eight goalkeepers and 40 outfield players. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Her team-mate Julia's height helped against high balls. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- She had won the Italian league and the Copa America. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- They conceded only four goals in six games. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- His staff studied each opponent's attack to plan Brazil's defence. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- He had worked in women's football for 26 years. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- February, 24 September, 20 October and 21 November 2025. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 4, 14, 32 and 48. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Brazil expected to have the ball most of the time and face five or six shots a game. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))

## 10.107 Amandinha

From Fortaleza's school courts to six best-player awards in a row: the story of Brazil's Amandinha.

### Test 1: Amandinha's story

- She went from schoolgirl there to professional futsal. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- He later founded a futsal school. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- She later moved to Lages. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- The club won four of the five trophies it played for that year. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- She scored twice in front of about 8,000 fans. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- She also hoped Neymar would win FIFA's best player award. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- It was her sixth award in a row. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- Her World Tournament winner came in 2014 and the club title in 2019. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- Four, five and six in a row. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- She also calls Daniela Civinski a mentor. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))

## 10.108 The Women's World Tournaments

Before FIFA's Women's World Cup: six world tournaments from 2010 to 2015, all won by Brazil.

### Test 1: The early world events

- Brazil beat Portugal in the final. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt))
- It was the first world-level event for women's futsal. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt))
- Portugal reached the final three times. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt))
- Portugal reached two more finals after 2010. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt))
- Amandinha was in the squad. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- Amandinha scored the title-winning goal after Brazil had been behind. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- Brazil's future goalkeeper Bianca was third choice that year. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020); FIFA Training Centre, 'Interview with Brazil head coach Wilson Saboia' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt); FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))
- 6, 8 and about 5,000. (Source: FPF, 'Women's futsal: find out everything you don't know' (fpf.pt))
- Brazil won all six world tournaments held before FIFA's World Cup. (Source: FIFA, 'Exhilarating Amandinha's historic six' (inside.fifa.com, 2020))

## 10.109 The Women's Futsal EURO

Europe's women's championship since 2019: the players of each tournament, a 12-0 and an eight-team EURO in Osijek.

### Test 1: Europe's women's championship

- Spain won that first edition. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- It was played in Gondomar again. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- Hungary hosted the next edition, in 2023. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- She plays for Portugal. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- The games were played at the Fonix Arena. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- It will run from 14 to 21 March 2027. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- The competition is now held every four years. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- 2019, 2022 and 2023. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- 2022, 2023 and 2027. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))
- Portugal beat the hosts Hungary. (Source: UEFA, Women's Futsal EURO full guide (uefa.com))

## 10.110 New Nations

Tanzania's first FIFA tournament, Morocco's rise and the new names in the women's futsal ranking.

### Test 1: Newcomers

- They won a group game and rose eight places in the ranking. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- Brazil's was 33. (Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FPI overview of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup 2025' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2026))
- Morocco played 15 games in that ranking period, the most of any women's team. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- From 47th to 31st. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- Morocco still rose seven places, to 24th. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- Australia, the USA, Senegal and India were also new. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- Twelve teams entered the ranking that month. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- End of 2024, April 2025, August 2025 and December 2025. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 74th, 82nd and 92nd. (Source: FIFA, 'Dozen new teams in futsal women's world ranking as popularity grows' (inside.fifa.com, August 2025))
- They had been 65th at the end of 2024. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))

Sources: Official sources: FIFA (inside.fifa.com, FIFA Training Centre), UEFA, AFC and the Portuguese federation.

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