# Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money

Futsal · Chapter 9: Fans, Media & Money · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/futsal/interesting-facts/chapter-9-fans-media-money/)

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

## 9.91 EURO 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 1: Crowds in 2026

- Slovenia joined them as a third host in 2025. (Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023))
- It was also the first Futsal EURO spread across three countries. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- Latvia set a national record of 5,277. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- The session was sold out. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- Kaunas's arena had staged the 2021 World Cup final. (Source: UEFA, 'Latvia and Lithuania chosen to host Futsal EURO 2026' (uefa.com, 2023))
- Armenia also reached the finals for the first time. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 5,277, 6,092 and 8,126. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))

## 9.92 Croatia'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 1: Croatia in 2012

- It was for Croatia against Romania. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- It was already above the previous record for a whole finals. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- 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))
- Italy, Russia and Spain had played at all eight. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- Amado was about to play his 48th EURO game, qualifying included. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- 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))
- The 17 goals were a finals record. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- 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))
- 43, 48 and 1,314,651. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- Croatia lost the semi-final to Russia. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))

## 9.93 Futsal 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 1: Television and streaming

- 4.4 million of them watched in Portugal. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- 1.8 million more watched on UEFA.com's futsal section. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- Nearly 20% of viewers watched the quarter-final. (Source: UEFA, 'Futsal EURO final by numbers' (uefa.com, 10 February 2012))
- It was New Zealand's first World Cup. (Source: New Zealand Football, Futsal Whites World Cup squad announcement (nzfootball.co.nz, 2024))
- Barca beat Murcia in the first all-Spanish final. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))

## 9.94 Arenas 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 1: Futsal investment

- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- About 0.3, 1, 1.8 and 5 million US dollars. (Source: FIFA, reports on Forward-funded futsal projects (inside.fifa.com, 2018-2024))
- 2018, 2021 and 2024. (Source: FIFA, reports on Forward-funded futsal projects (inside.fifa.com, 2018-2024))
- It is run by the Portuguese federation. (Source: FIFA, 'Gianni Infantino praises Portugal futsal arena opening' (inside.fifa.com, 2024))

## 9.95 Thailand'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 1: Thailand

- 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))
- It covers 2,500 square metres. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024))
- 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))
- 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))
- She is known as Madame Pang. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA President inaugurates new FIFA Forward-funded Football Association of Thailand HQ' (inside.fifa.com, 2024))
- 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))
- The Futsal World Cup followed in 2012. (Source: FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024))
- 2004, 2012 and 2024. (Source: FIFA, 'Thailand and the legacy of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012' (inside.fifa.com, 2024))
- 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))
- 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))

## 9.96 The FutsalPlanet Awards

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

### Test 1: Awards

- 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))
- The awards are run by FutsalPlanet. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))
- 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))
- Didac Plana finished fourth in 2020. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))
- Ferrao had won it in 2013. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))
- 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))
- 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))
- 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))
- 1, 3, 4 and 11. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))
- The awards began in 2000. (Source: FC Barcelona, 'Ferrao, Plaza and Barca are the best in the world' (fcbarcelona.com, 26 January 2021))

## 9.97 The 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 1: Men's ranking

- Indonesia rose to 21st. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- It rose six places to 20th. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- 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))
- It climbed six places to 32nd. (Source: FIFA, 'Brazil men and women top futsal world ranking' (inside.fifa.com, December 2025))
- It rose to 88th. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 4 April 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- Moldova and Bahrain each climbed 14. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking release of 29 August 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 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))
- April, August and December 2025. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 12, 16, 17 and 19 places. (Source: FIFA, futsal world ranking releases of April, August and December 2025 (inside.fifa.com))
- 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))

## 9.98 Futsal'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 1: Growth in numbers

- Eight teams played at the finals in Granada. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- Azerbaijan and Belarus made their finals debuts that year. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- FC Dynamo won it that year. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- 46 nations entered EURO qualifying the same year. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- It was the first 16-team finals. (Source: UEFA, 'What's futsal? A beginner's guide' (uefa.com))
- There are now more than two dozen. (Source: UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))
- The same decision renamed the club competition the Futsal Champions League. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- 17, 25, 29, 38 and 43 nations. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- 27, 40 and 50. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com))
- Spain won it in Gondomar. (Source: UEFA, 'UEFA and futsal: a timeline' (uefa.com); UEFA, futsal competitions page (uefa.com, 2026))

## 9.99 Opening 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 1: The 2025 opening

- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- Argentina won 6-0. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- Poland won 6-0, with several late goals. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- She plays for Argentina. (Source: FIFA, 'FIFA women's football development activities, November 2025' (inside.fifa.com, 2025))

## 9.100 Crowds 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 1: Finals crowds

- Portugal won their first title that night. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))
- It was an experimental six-team tournament. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Both finals went to extra time. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 8,350 people watched it. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))
- Portugal beat Russia 4-2 there. (Source: UEFA, 'Who has won Futsal EURO? Champions, teams, players, scorers and more' (uefa.com, 2026))

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

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