Futsal · Level 10: Professional · Sub-level 10.1
The FIFA Futsal World Cup
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 14 October 2026 · markdown
This sub-level teaches the top competition in the sport — the first edition in the Netherlands in 1989, when it was still called the FIFA Futsal World Championship and Brazil beat the host nation 2-1 in Rotterdam; the run of editions through Hong Kong 1992, Spain 1996, Guatemala 2000 where Spain won it for the first time and Chinese Taipei 2004; the growth of the field from sixteen teams to twenty in 2008 and to twenty-four in 2012, the size still used; the long dominance of Brazil, who have played every edition and hold six titles, and Spain, who hold two; Argentina's breakthrough in Colombia 2016, beating Russia 5-4 and ending a run of seven straight titles shared by Brazil and Spain; Portugal's first world title in Lithuania 2021, beating Argentina 2-1; Brazil's sixth in Uzbekistan 2024; and the record book around it — Manoel Tobias and Falcao for Brazil, Eder Lima's Golden Boot for Russia in 2012, and the fifty-four nations that have played at least one finals; tests 6-10 add the World Cup podium places, the beaten finalists, the finals by the numbers, records and streaks, and reading the honours board.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1The first world championshipsTake a test
The 1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship was played in the Netherlands, and Brazil beat the host nation 2-1 in the Rotterdam final.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Brazil beat Netherlands in first FIFA Futsal World Cup final" · recall
Brazil, already FIFUSA world champions, took their first FIFA title with a narrow 2-1 win over the hosts in front of a home crowd.
Source: Wikipedia, "1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship" · recall
FIFA ran the early editions from 1989 as the "FIFA Futsal World Championship" and adopted the "World Cup" name for later editions; it is the same competition line.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (name history) · recall
The first five editions were the Netherlands 1989, Hong Kong 1992, Spain 1996, Guatemala 2000 and Chinese Taipei 2004.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (results table) · recall
Brazil took 1989, 1992 and 1996; Spain then beat them 4-3 in the 2000 final in Guatemala for their first world title.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; "2000 FIFA Futsal World Championship" · recall
Spain's first world title came in 2000; they retained it in 2004 against Italy, but 2000 was the breakthrough.
Source: Wikipedia, "2000 FIFA Futsal World Championship" · recall
Spain beat Italy 2-1 in the 2004 final in Chinese Taipei to make it two world titles in a row.
Source: Wikipedia, "2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship" · recall
Hong Kong staged the 1992 edition and Chinese Taipei staged 2004, so the competition reached Asia early; it has since been to Thailand and Uzbekistan too.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (host list) · applied
The 1989 final, Brazil 2-1 the Netherlands, was played in Rotterdam; the Dutch federation hosted the whole tournament.
Source: Wikipedia, "1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship" · recall
Brazil won 1989, 1992 and 1996 and lost the 2000 final to Spain, so they took three of the first four; Spain then won 2000 and 2004 back to back.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · applied
Test 2Format, field and hostsTake a test
The finals had a sixteen-team field for its first five editions, from 1989 to 2004.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history) · recall
The 2008 edition in Brazil was the first with twenty teams; it grew again, to twenty-four, four years later.
Source: Wikipedia, "2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Thailand 2012 was the first twenty-four-team World Cup, six groups of four; 2016, 2021 and 2024 all kept that size.
Source: Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Thailand 2012" · recall
Thailand 2012 introduced the twenty-four-team format; the 2024 edition in Uzbekistan simply kept it, so it was the fourth World Cup at that size.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history); "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · applied
Thailand hosted 2012; Colombia followed in 2016, Lithuania in 2021 and Uzbekistan in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Colombia hosted 2016; Argentina beat Russia 5-4 in the final in Cali.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
The 2020 edition was pushed to 2021 because of COVID-19; Lithuania staged it, and Portugal won it.
Source: Wikipedia, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Uzbekistan hosted the tenth edition in 2024; Brazil beat Argentina 2-1 in the final for their sixth world title.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
The twenty-four-team format splits into six groups of four; the group stage feeds a round of sixteen and then the knockout rounds.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format); UEFA.com, "2024 Futsal World Cup qualifying" · recall
The field was sixteen from 1989 to 2004, twenty at Brazil 2008, and twenty-four from Thailand 2012 onward.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history) · applied
Test 3Brazil and SpainTake a test
Brazil have won six of the ten editions (1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012, 2024); Spain are next with two.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners) · recall
Brazil are the only nation to have appeared at all ten World Cup finals from 1989 to 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (participating nations) · recall
Spain won back-to-back in 2000 and 2004; they have reached several finals since but not won another.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
The 2008 final in Rio finished 2-2; Brazil won the shoot-out 4-3 to take the title on home soil.
Source: Wikipedia, "2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil beat Spain 3-2 after extra time in the 2012 final in Thailand, their fifth world title at that point.
Source: Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil won five (1989-1996, 2008, 2012) and Spain two (2000, 2004), so the two nations held every title until Argentina broke through in 2016.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016" · applied
Brazil beat Spain in the 2008 final on penalties and in the 2012 final after extra time; Spain were runners-up both times.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (finals) · recall
Brazil combine a perfect attendance record with six titles from ten editions, so they are the competition's dominant side, not merely a regular presence.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · applied
Brazil and Spain contested the 2000, 2008 and 2012 finals, and met in earlier deciders too; no other pairing recurs as often.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (finals list) · recall
For seven editions the trophy went only to Brazil or Spain, with Brazil ahead five titles to two.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · applied
Test 4Argentina 2016, Portugal 2021, Brazil 2024Take a test
In the 2016 final at Cali, Argentina got past Russia 5-4 to be crowned world champions for the first time.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016" · recall
Brazil or Spain had won every edition from 1989 to 2012; Argentina's win in 2016 was the first by anyone else.
Source: FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016, end Brazil-Spain reign" · applied
Diego Giustozzi, who had won bronze as a player in 2007, took the coaching job in 2014 and led Argentina to the 2016 title.
Source: Wikipedia, "Diego Giustozzi"; "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Portugal beat defending champions Argentina 2-1 in the 2021 final in Kaunas, Lithuania, for their first world title.
Source: Wikipedia, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; UEFA.com, "Portugal beat Argentina in final" · recall
Pany Varela scored both goals as Portugal beat Argentina 2-1 in the 2021 final.
Source: UEFA.com, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup: Portugal beat Argentina in final" · recall
Portugal held the UEFA Futsal EURO title from 2018 when they won the 2021 World Cup, the first nation to hold both at once.
Source: UEFA.com, "Portugal: their winning run" · applied
The 2024 decider in Uzbekistan went Brazil's way 2-1 against Argentina, a first world crown for the Selecao since 2012.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Argentina won in 2016, lost the 2021 final to Portugal and the 2024 final to Brazil, both 2-1.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (finals) · applied
Counting from 1989, the 2024 tournament was the tenth FIFA Futsal World Cup.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Each of the last three trophies went to a different nation, with Argentina losing the 2021 and 2024 finals after their own win.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · applied
Test 5Scorers, records and the bookTake a test
Manoel Tobias top-scored at the 1996 and 2000 World Cups and was twice named the world's best player around then.
Source: Wikipedia, "Manoel Tobias"; FutsalFeed, "Falcao, Futsal God" (context) · recall
Falcao (Alessandro Rosa Vieira) won the World Cup with Brazil in 2008 and 2012 and was named the world's best futsal player four times.
Source: Wikipedia, "Falcao (futsal player)" · recall
Eder Lima, born in Brazil and naturalised by Russia, was the top scorer at the 2012 World Cup in Thailand.
Source: Wikipedia, "Eder Lima (futsal player)"; "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Marcel finished as top scorer at the 2024 finals with ten goals as Brazil won the title.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (statistics) · recall
Dyego Zuffo of Brazil won the adidas Golden Ball as the outstanding player of the 2024 tournament.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (awards) · recall
Iran took third place in Colombia 2016, the first time any nation from outside South America or Europe had reached the World Cup podium.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; theotheriran.com, "Iran writes history" · applied
Iran knocked out defending champions Brazil in the round of sixteen in 2016, drawing 3-3 and winning 4-3 on penalties.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; DougReedFutsal, "10 Reflections on the 2016 Futsal World Cup" · recall
Some fifty-four different countries have reached at least one World Cup finals tournament since 1989.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (participating nations) · recall
Ukraine took third at the 2024 finals, with France fourth; Brazil beat Argentina in the final.
Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil have six titles and Spain two, but Argentina won in 2016 and Portugal in 2021, so four nations have won the World Cup.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners) · applied
Test 6Podium PlacesTake a test
The Netherlands were runners-up to Brazil, the United States third and Belgium fourth.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil beat the hosts Spain in the final, and Russia finished third.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Portugal finished third in Guatemala in 2000, the year Spain won their first title.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Spain beat Italy in the 2004 final, and Brazil took the bronze.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Italy finished third in Brazil in 2008 and again in Thailand in 2012.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Portugal beat Argentina in the final and Brazil took third place.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Spain's bronze in Hong Kong came four years before they hosted the event.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · recall
Brazil (2004, 2021) and Italy (2008, 2012) each have two bronze medals; six other nations have one.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · applied
The USA were third in 1989, Russia in 1996, Portugal in 2000 and Iran in 2016.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · applied
2004, 2008, 2012 and 2021.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place) · applied
Test 7The Beaten FinalistsTake a test
Brazil beat the United States in the second World Cup final.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil won 4-1 against the United States for their second title.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
Spain lost the finals of 1996, 2008 and 2012, all to Brazil.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
Spain, Argentina, the Netherlands, the USA, Italy, Russia and Brazil have all lost a final; Brazil's came in 2000, when Spain beat them 4-3.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
The Netherlands lost the 1989 final in Rotterdam and Spain the 1996 final at their home edition.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
They lost 2-1 to Portugal in 2021 and 2-1 to Brazil in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
Between those defeats Spain won the finals of 2000 and 2004.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · recall
Spain have lost three finals, Argentina two, and five other nations (the Netherlands, the USA, Brazil, Italy and Russia) one each.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · applied
The Netherlands lost in 1989, the USA in 1992, Italy in 2004 and Russia in 2016.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · applied
1996, 2008 and 2012: three defeats, all against Brazil.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up) · applied
Test 8Finals by the NumbersTake a test
Argentina beat Russia 5-4 in Cali, nine goals in all.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
The 2008 final went to penalties and the 2012 final to extra time; every other final was settled in normal time.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores and extra time) · recall
Four finals ended 2-1: 1989, 2004, 2021 and 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · recall
Brazil's three-goal win over the United States is the biggest margin in a World Cup final.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · recall
Brazil won their home final in 2008; the Netherlands and Spain lost theirs.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · recall
Only the 2012 final needed extra time without going on to a shoot-out.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores and extra time) · recall
Spain scored four in losing 6-4 in 1996, and Russia four in losing 5-4 in 2016.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · recall
Brazil beat Spain 6-4 in 1996, ten goals, the highest-scoring World Cup final.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · applied
1992, 2004, 2016 and 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · applied
Three goals in 2004, seven in 2000 and ten in 1996.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores) · applied
Test 9Records and StreaksTake a test
Brazil have done it twice, Spain once, at the start of the 2000s.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Spain won in 2000 and 2004; Brazil's only title of the decade came at home in 2008.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · recall
Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Portugal are the only winners.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · recall
Brazil have played seven finals, Spain five and Argentina three.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · recall
Spain played every final from 1996 to 2012, winning two and losing three.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals) · recall
The 2016, 2021 and 2024 finals were played without Spain.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · recall
Spain have two titles and Portugal one; Italy and Russia have reached finals but not won.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · recall
Brazil won the first three editions; at the fourth, in 2000, Spain beat them in the final.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · applied
1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012 and 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · applied
1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists) · applied
Test 10Reading the Honours BoardTake a test
Spain won two and Portugal one; the other seven went to Brazil and Argentina.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" · recall
Brazil's six and Argentina's one give South America seven of the ten titles.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · recall
The Netherlands, the USA, Italy, Russia, Iran and Ukraine have medals but no title.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · recall
Brazil were third in 2004 and 2021 and went out in the round of 16 in 2016.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table); Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (round of 16) · recall
Iran knocked Brazil out on penalties in the round of 16 in Colombia.
Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (round of 16) · recall
Portugal's only final, in 2021, ended in victory; the other three winners have all lost finals.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · recall
Argentina won in 2016, ending the run of titles shared by Brazil and Spain.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · recall
Six won and one lost: seven finals, more than any other nation.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · applied
Brazil have six, Spain two and Portugal one.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · applied
The Netherlands were runners-up in 1989, Italy in 2004, Iran third in 2016 and Ukraine third in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records) · applied
Sources
General, verifiable futsal references: each question cites a specific real source in its Source line (Wikipedia edition/competition articles cross-checked against UEFA.com, FIFA.com / inside.fifa.com, AFC and confederation sites, and league sites). Where a sub-level revisits a result already logged for Level 9 (the World Cup and EURO winners lists), the question is framed on the competition record, not on restating Level 9 history.
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"9
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place)9
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up)9
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists)8
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores)7
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records)7
- Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup"4
- Wikipedia, "1989 FIFA Futsal World Championship"2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history)2
- Wikipedia, "2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup"2
- Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup"2
- Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners)2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (participating nations)2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (finals)2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores and extra time)2
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Brazil beat Netherlands in first FIFA Futsal World Cup final"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (name history)1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (results table)1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; "2000 FIFA Futsal World Championship"1
- Wikipedia, "2000 FIFA Futsal World Championship"1
- Wikipedia, "2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (host list)1
- Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Thailand 2012"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history); "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup"1
- Wikipedia, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format); UEFA.com, "2024 Futsal World Cup qualifying"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (finals list)1
- Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016"1
- FIFA.com, "Argentina conquer Colombia 2016, end Brazil-Spain reign"1
- Wikipedia, "Diego Giustozzi"; "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"1
- Wikipedia, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; UEFA.com, "Portugal beat Argentina in final"1
- UEFA.com, "2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup: Portugal beat Argentina in final"1
- UEFA.com, "Portugal: their winning run"1
- Wikipedia, "Manoel Tobias"; FutsalFeed, "Falcao, Futsal God" (context)1
- Wikipedia, "Falcao (futsal player)"1
- Wikipedia, "Eder Lima (futsal player)"; "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup"1
- Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (statistics)1
- Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (awards)1
- Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; theotheriran.com, "Iran writes history"1
- Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup"; DougReedFutsal, "10 Reflections on the 2016 Futsal World Cup"1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals)1
- Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table); Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (round of 16)1
- Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (round of 16)1