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Futsal · Interesting Facts

Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money

10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 15 October 2026 · markdown

Ten sub-levels about the people around the game: crowds, television, awards, rankings and the money that builds futsal halls.

9.91EURO 2026: Hosts and Crowds

How the Baltic EURO came about and the crowds it drew: national records in Lithuania and Latvia and 8,126 at the final.

Test 1Crowds in 2026Take a test

  1. Slovenia joined them as a third host in 2025.

    Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023) · recall

  2. It was also the first Futsal EURO spread across three countries.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  3. Latvia set a national record of 5,277.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. The session was sold out.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. Kaunas's arena had staged the 2021 World Cup final.

    Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023) · recall

  6. Armenia also reached the finals for the first time.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. Latvia and Lithuania were also the first co-hosts of a futsal EURO.

    Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023) · recall

  8. 5,277, 6,092 and 8,126.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. December 2023, April 2024, June 2025 and February 2026.

    Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023); UEFA, 'Futsal EURO 2026: entries, format, calendar' (uefa.com) · recall

  10. It is in Ljubljana.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026); UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

9.92Croatia's Futsal Fever, 2012

When Croatia hosted the 2012 EURO: three crowd records in a week, a 100th goal and a nation watching on TV.

Test 1Croatia in 2012Take a test

  1. It was for Croatia against Romania.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  2. It was already above the previous record for a whole finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  3. It was his second in Croatia's 4-2 semi-final defeat by Russia.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  4. Italy, Russia and Spain had played at all eight.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  5. Amado was about to play his 48th EURO game, qualifying included.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  6. They went out to Italy in the quarter-finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012); UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal EURO 2026: the top eight under the microscope' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. The 17 goals were a finals record.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  8. The last was the first five-figure crowd at a UEFA futsal match.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  9. 43, 48 and 1,314,651.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  10. Croatia lost the semi-final to Russia.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

9.93Futsal on Screen

How many people watch futsal: 11.7 million for a EURO in 2007, 19.8 million in 2022 and a World Cup in over 175 territories.

Test 1Television and streamingTake a test

  1. 4.4 million of them watched in Portugal.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  2. 1.8 million more watched on UEFA.com's futsal section.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  3. Games were shown in all six confederations.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 to be broadcast live in over 175 territories' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  4. Where TV did not show it, fans could stream it.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 to be broadcast live in over 175 territories' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  5. Nearly 20% of viewers watched the quarter-final.

    Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012) · recall

  6. It was New Zealand's first World Cup.

    Source: New Zealand Football, Futsal Whites World Cup squad announcement (nzfootball.co.nz, 2024) · recall

  7. Barca beat Murcia in the first all-Spanish final.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  8. 4.4 million, 11.7 million and 19.8 million.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 2007, 2012, 2022 and 2024.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. Traditional broadcasters showed every minute of all 52 games.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 to be broadcast live in over 175 territories' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

9.94Arenas Built with FIFA Money

Where FIFA's futsal money goes: Arena Portugal, a 450-seat hall in Costa Rica and new national teams in Lithuania.

Test 1Futsal investmentTake a test

  1. That included USD 14 million to the Philippines for hosting.

    Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025) · recall

  2. The arena is part of the Cidade do Futebol complex in Lisbon.

    Source: FIFA, 'Gianni Infantino praises Portugal futsal arena opening' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  3. It opened in 2018 for the men's and women's national teams.

    Source: FIFA, 'Fresh facilities for futsal in Costa Rica' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  4. The arena also has changing rooms and access for spectators with reduced mobility.

    Source: FIFA, 'Fresh facilities for futsal in Costa Rica' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  5. Panama's FA president said it set a high standard for the region.

    Source: FIFA, 'Fresh facilities for futsal in Costa Rica' (inside.fifa.com, 2018) · recall

  6. The exact figure was USD 299,947.

    Source: FIFA, 'Futsal keeps growing in Lithuania thanks to the World Cup and the Forward programme' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  7. It also set up a training centre for the national team.

    Source: FIFA, 'Futsal keeps growing in Lithuania thanks to the World Cup and the Forward programme' (inside.fifa.com, 2021) · recall

  8. About 0.3, 1, 1.8 and 5 million US dollars.

    Source: FIFA, reports on Forward-funded futsal projects (inside.fifa.com, 2018-2024) · recall

  9. 2018, 2021 and 2024.

    Source: FIFA, reports on Forward-funded futsal projects (inside.fifa.com, 2018-2024) · recall

  10. It is run by the Portuguese federation.

    Source: FIFA, 'Gianni Infantino praises Portugal futsal arena opening' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

9.95Thailand's House of Football

Thailand's FIFA-funded headquarters with a futsal court, opened during the 2024 FIFA Congress, and the country's futsal legacy.

Test 1ThailandTake a test

  1. It was Thailand's third major FIFA event.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024); FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  2. It covers 2,500 square metres.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  3. It is also rented out to the public to raise money.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  4. The 2024 Asian Cup was played in Thailand.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  5. She is known as Madame Pang.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  6. It is the hub of Thai football administration.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  7. The Futsal World Cup followed in 2012.

    Source: FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  8. 2004, 2012 and 2024.

    Source: FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  9. January 2023, February 2024, April 2024 and May 2024.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

  10. All video assistant referee work is run from a room in the same building.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024) · recall

9.96The FutsalPlanet Awards

Futsal's best-player awards, as Barca's record in them shows: best coach, best club, best young player and more.

Test 1AwardsTake a test

  1. He coached Barca to the Champions League.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  2. The awards are run by FutsalPlanet.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  3. Players, coaches, the club and a goalkeeper.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  4. Didac Plana finished fourth in 2020.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  5. Ferrao had won it in 2013.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  6. Barca won the UEFA Futsal Cup that year.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  7. He was runner-up to Ferrao in 2020.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  8. 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  9. 1, 3, 4 and 11.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

  10. The awards began in 2000.

    Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021) · recall

9.97The Men's World Ranking

FIFA's men's futsal ranking in 2025: new names in the top 20, first-time entrants and the biggest climbers.

Test 1Men's rankingTake a test

  1. Indonesia rose to 21st.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

  2. It rose six places to 20th.

    Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025) · recall

  3. They were 138th and 139th after three Asian Cup qualifiers each.

    Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025) · recall

  4. It climbed six places to 32nd.

    Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025) · recall

  5. It rose to 88th.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

  6. Moldova and Bahrain each climbed 14.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 29 August 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

  7. They included qualifiers for the Asian Cup and the EURO.

    Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025) · recall

  8. April, August and December 2025.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

  9. 12, 16, 17 and 19 places.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

  10. Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Argentina were above them.

    Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com); FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 29 August 2025 (inside.fifa.com) · recall

9.98Futsal's Growing Entry Lists

How many teams take part: from 17 entries in 1996 to 50 in 2022, and from seven women's sides to more than two dozen.

Test 1Growth in numbersTake a test

  1. Eight teams played at the finals in Granada.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  2. Azerbaijan and Belarus made their finals debuts that year.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  3. FC Dynamo won it that year.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  4. 46 nations entered EURO qualifying the same year.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  5. It was the first 16-team finals.

    Source: UEFA, 'What's futsal? A beginner's guide' (uefa.com) · recall

  6. There are now more than two dozen.

    Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. The same decision renamed the club competition the Futsal Champions League.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  8. 17, 25, 29, 38 and 43 nations.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  9. 27, 40 and 50.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com) · recall

  10. Spain won it in Gondomar.

    Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

9.99Opening the Women's World Cup

Tickets from 499 pesos, an opening game for Morocco and Argentina and the FIFA President at the hosts' first match.

Test 1The 2025 openingTake a test

  1. Prices included taxes and fees.

    Source: ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025) · recall

  2. It gave open seating in the higher sections.

    Source: ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025) · recall

  3. It came with an assigned seat with the best views.

    Source: ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025) · recall

  4. Argentina won 6-0.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025) · recall

  5. Poland won 6-0, with several late goals.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025) · recall

  6. Every game was played in Pasig City.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025); FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025) · recall

  7. They also had larger seats than Category 3.

    Source: ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025) · recall

  8. 499, 699 and 1,399 pesos.

    Source: ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025) · recall

  9. 30 August, 7 October, 21 November and 7 December.

    Source: FIFA and AFF reports on the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025 (inside.fifa.com; aseanfootball.org) · recall

  10. She plays for Argentina.

    Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025) · recall

9.100Crowds at EURO Finals

How many came to watch the EURO finals, from 4,300 in Cordoba to 11,558 in Antwerp, and the arenas that held them.

Test 1Finals crowdsTake a test

  1. Portugal won their first title that night.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  2. It was an experimental six-team tournament.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  3. Both finals went to extra time.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  4. 8,350 people watched it.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  5. It is the largest crowd ever for a EURO final.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  6. Spain beat Russia 2-1 in the CEZ Arena.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  7. The 2001 final was settled by a golden goal.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  8. 4,300, 8,350, 10,491 and 11,558.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  9. 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

  10. Portugal beat Russia 4-2 there.

    Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026) · recall

Sources

Official sources: UEFA (uefa.com), FIFA (inside.fifa.com) and national federations and clubs.

  • UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012)10
  • FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021)10
  • UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026)10
  • UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com)9
  • UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026)7
  • FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024)7
  • FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025)5
  • ASEAN Football Federation, 'General sale of tickets now open for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (aseanfootball.org, 2025)5
  • UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023)3
  • FIFA, 'FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 to be broadcast live in over 175 territories' (inside.fifa.com, 2024)3
  • FIFA, 'Fresh facilities for futsal in Costa Rica' (inside.fifa.com, 2018)3
  • FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025)3
  • UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026)2
  • FIFA, 'Gianni Infantino praises Portugal futsal arena opening' (inside.fifa.com, 2024)2
  • FIFA, 'Futsal keeps growing in Lithuania thanks to the World Cup and the Forward programme' (inside.fifa.com, 2021)2
  • FIFA, reports on Forward-funded futsal projects (inside.fifa.com, 2018-2024)2
  • FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024)2
  • FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com)2
  • FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com)2
  • UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023); UEFA, 'Futsal EURO 2026: entries, format, calendar' (uefa.com)1
  • UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026); UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026)1
  • UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012); UEFA, 'UEFA Futsal EURO 2026: the top eight under the microscope' (uefa.com, 2026)1
  • New Zealand Football, Futsal Whites World Cup squad announcement (nzfootball.co.nz, 2024)1
  • UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026)1
  • FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024); FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024)1
  • FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 29 August 2025 (inside.fifa.com)1
  • FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com); FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 29 August 2025 (inside.fifa.com)1
  • UEFA, 'What's futsal? A beginner's guide' (uefa.com)1
  • FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025); FIFA, 'Diwa unveiled as Official Mascot of the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025)1
  • FIFA and AFF reports on the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup Philippines 2025 (inside.fifa.com; aseanfootball.org)1