Futsal · Interesting Facts
Chapter 5: Equipment & Technology
10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 15 October 2026 · markdown
The kit and the technology of the modern game: how FIFA tests a futsal ball, a ball covered in peppers, Brazil's ball maker and how video support arrived.
5.51Testing the Ball
How FIFA tests a futsal ball, the 2024 World Cup ball and Brazil's ball maker.
Test 1The ballTake a test
A beach soccer ball faces 1,000 shots in the same test.
Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022) · recall
The ball rolls off an inclined surface and the angle it takes across a table is measured.
Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022) · recall
An indoor ball does not get wet, so only outdoor and beach balls are soaked.
Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022) · recall
A maker may ask for another value inside the Laws' range of 0.6 to 0.9 bar.
Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022) · recall
Five shapes formed a ball at its top, the same motif as on the match ball.
Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
The design was meant to show how fast the game is.
Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
The deal also covered the referees' kit across 30 competitions; the São Paulo company was founded in 1970.
Source: Máquina do Esporte, 'Penalty é primeira marca a fechar parceria com novo Campeonato Brasileiro de Futsal' (2024); X1 Futsal (2023) · recall
Sphericity comes after circumference, and loss of pressure is last.
Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022) · recall
Late August, 14 September and 6 October 2024.
Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024) · recall
The pepper is a staple of Uzbek cooking.
Source: FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
5.52Video on the Court
Video support's arrival at the World Cup and how a review works.
Test 1Video supportTake a test
It had been tested in other competitions first.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
One more is added if extra time is played, and unused challenges are not carried over.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
A coach whose challenge succeeds keeps the right to challenge.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
The referee also tells both head coaches if needed.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
If play had already stopped, it restarts according to the original decision.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
The system came back after working well in Lithuania.
Source: FIFA, 'Global game represented by FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 referee list' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
They trained online from early 2024 and met for a seminar in Uzbekistan before kick-off.
Source: FIFA, 'Global game represented by FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 referee list' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
The referee keeps the final decision throughout.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
Before 2021, 2021 and 2024.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024) · recall
It is the TV signal, shown before the final decision is given.
Source: FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com) · recall
5.53FIFA's Futsal Analysis Framework
The language FIFA's analysts built in 2021 to describe every second of a futsal game: zones, blocks, presses and set plays.
Test 1How futsal is analysedTake a test
Zones 1 and 2 are a team's own half; zones 3 and 4 are the opponents'.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Each category is split into 'moments', 22 in all.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Both mean two or more players in zones 3 and 4.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
It is one of eight in-possession moments.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Its aim is to win the ball back immediately.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
FIFA called it the first review of every second of every game in futsal.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
At least two of them are in or close to zone 1.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Six metres, ten metres and the centre mark.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Zones 4 and 3, zones 3 and 2, then the team's own half.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Build-up is prepared in the team's own half.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
5.54Kick-ins and Counters, 2021
What FIFA's analysts found in Lithuania: 32 goals from kick-ins, code words and tactics boards, and counter-attacks second only to build-up play.
Test 1Kick-ins and counter-attacksTake a test
That was just over a tenth of all the goals.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
It can be a number, a colour or a name.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Spain's block and show against Angola also paid off.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
The RFU caught Argentina out with a quick kick-in of their own.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Build-up play produced 77.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
The RFU scored the fewest, one.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Futsal allows unlimited rolling substitutions.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
32, 64 and 77.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
One, two and seven.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021) · recall
Almost every kick-in in zone 4 came straight from it.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
5.55Corners and Set Plays, 2021
947 corners and 29 goals from them: FIFA's study of set plays at Lithuania 2021.
Test 1Set playsTake a test
That is about 18 a game.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
A success rate of 3.1%.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
The lofted ball to the far post was a delivery defences often failed to read.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
They had many options and good variation.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Many teams set up their three-man block the same way every time.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Ten-metre free kicks produced two.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
2, 3, 26, 29 and 32.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
3, 29, 92 and 947.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Driven low balls to the near post, hoping for a deflection, were common too.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
5.56Goalkeepers and the Power Play, 2021
Higuita's 99 trips into the other half, Bebe's broken wall and what the power play cost teams at Lithuania 2021.
Test 1Goalkeepers in 2021Take a test
FIFA's analysts called him the complete futsal goalkeeper.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
They led to a shot 48 times.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
He grew in influence as Portugal reached the final.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
He stayed composed under pressure from Brazil too.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
FIFA's analysts praised his shot-stopping and composure.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
They produced 194 shots.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
FIFA's analysts named the two together.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
48, 99, 194 and 219.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
4, 6 and 24.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
Their success encouraged them to keep using it.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022) · recall
5.57The 2024 Performance Blueprint
FIFA's analysts on Uzbekistan 2024: more low blocks, almost no high blocks, and where the goals came from.
Test 1Data from 2024Take a test
They spent no time at all in a high press.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
It made up 30.2% of their time out of possession.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
The low block (30%) and mid-block (21%) took about half.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Their share rose by 10.3% from 2021.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
The exact rise was 20.6%.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Pivot balls averaged 10.5 a match.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
They averaged 15 high-block and 12 high-press uses a game.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
10.5%, 16.6% and 30.9%.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
2.87%, 20.56% and 30.18%.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Spain played only six against New Zealand; the average was about 25 per team per game.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
5.58Brazil's Sixth Title Up Close
How Brazil won Uzbekistan 2024: 40 goals, 16 corners in one game, a Golden Glove and a defence built on 'defend our space'.
Test 1Brazil in 2024Take a test
It was 12 more than in 2021.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Almost double the first-round average; 11 led to a shot on target.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Brazil: Capitalising from corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Brazil used all three of their goalkeepers.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
He calls the 2024 title the result of seven years of work.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Xavier said the attack shows Brazil's identity and the defence their intentions.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
Pito and Marcenio were also injured, so Diego and Marlon played as pivots.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
From 24.15% to 42.79% of their defending time.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025) · recall
1, 11 and 16.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Brazil: Capitalising from corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Brazil played 128 pivot balls in the group stage, the most of any team.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
5.59Argentina Against the Fly Goalkeeper
How Argentina's press took Kazakhstan's fly goalkeeper out of the 2024 quarter-final.
Test 1Pressing the power playTake a test
Argentina pressed rather than standing off.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Before the quarter-final they had averaged 26.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
A fall of 40% on their average.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
His average was the highest of any goalkeeper at the tournament.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Alemany, Claudino and Borruto formed the front of the press.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
He had combined with Cristian Borruto before shooting.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
One player pressed the ball and two others pressed the passing lines.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
16, 24 and 26.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
28, 29 and 39.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
The defender covered the pass into the pivot.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
5.60The 2024 Group Stage in Numbers
The group stage at Uzbekistan 2024 in figures: Spain's passing, Costa Rica's long balls, a 30-powerplay game and a 55-goal group.
Test 1Group-stage dataTake a test
Their players kept the ball after receiving it 737 times, a tournament high.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
They still went through as a third-placed team.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Both teams used them at the same time.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
It held Iran, France, Venezuela and Guatemala.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Iran won Group F with nine points.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Paraguay were second with 20.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
It was 1-1 at half-time; Catela then scored a hat-trick.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
6, 25 and 41.7.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
681, 698 and 737.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Thailand's pivot Muhammad Osamanmusa was a constant threat on the break.
Source: FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024) · recall
Sources
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: FIFA (the Quality Programme testing manual, tournament media releases), Máquina do Esporte, X1 Futsal. The ball's size, weight and bounce, the challengeable incidents and who may challenge are in the Laws and Knowledge Testing and left out on purpose.
- FIFA Training Centre, 'FIFA Futsal Analysis Framework' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021)10
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022)10
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)10
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)9
- FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com)7
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022)7
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)7
- FIFA, 'FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs (outdoor, futsal and beach soccer): Testing Manual' (October 2022)5
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022)5
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021)4
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)4
- FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com)3
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)3
- FIFA, 'Global game represented by FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 referee list' (inside.fifa.com)2
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022)2
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Brazil: Capitalising from corners' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)2
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Spain: Patience in possession' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)2
- Máquina do Esporte, 'Penalty é primeira marca a fechar parceria com novo Campeonato Brasileiro de Futsal' (2024); X1 Futsal (2023)1
- FIFA, 'Official Match Ball revealed as excitement builds ahead of FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024)1
- FIFA, 'Video support to debut at FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021' (inside.fifa.com); FIFA (2024)1
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking kick-ins' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Counter-attack' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2021)1
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Attacking power play' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022); FIFA Training Centre, 'Goalkeeper distribution' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2022)1
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Marquinhos Xavier on Brazil's FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025)1
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Performance blueprint: FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2025); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)1
- FIFA Training Centre, 'Argentina: Countering the flying goalkeeper with an aggressive press' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024); FIFA Training Centre, 'Group Stage Review' (fifatrainingcentre.com, 2024)1