# The FIFA Futsal World Cup · Futsal Level 10: Professional

Futsal · Level 10: Professional · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/futsal/level-10/the-fifa-futsal-world-cup/)

The FIFA Futsal World Cup in Futsal (Level 10: Professional) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: the first world championships; and more.

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.

## Test 1: The first world championships

- 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")
- 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")
- 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))
- 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))
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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))
- 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")
- 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")

## Test 2: Format, field and hosts

- The finals had a sixteen-team field for its first five editions, from 1989 to 2004. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (format history))
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- Thailand hosted 2012; Colombia followed in 2016, Lithuania in 2021 and Uzbekistan in 2024. (Source: Wikipedia, "2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- Colombia hosted 2016; Argentina beat Russia 5-4 in the final in Cali. (Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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))

## Test 3: Brazil and Spain

- 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))
- 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))
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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))
- 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")
- 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))
- For seven editions the trophy went only to Brazil or Spain, with Brazil ahead five titles to two. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup")

## Test 4: Argentina 2016, Portugal 2021, Brazil 2024

- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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")
- 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))
- Counting from 1989, the 2024 tournament was the tenth FIFA Futsal World Cup. (Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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")

## Test 5: Scorers, records and the book

- 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))
- 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)")
- 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")
- 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))
- 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))
- 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")
- 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")
- Some fifty-four different countries have reached at least one World Cup finals tournament since 1989. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (participating nations))
- Ukraine took third at the 2024 finals, with France fourth; Brazil beat Argentina in the final. (Source: Wikipedia, "2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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))

## Test 6: Podium Places

- The Netherlands were runners-up to Brazil, the United States third and Belgium fourth. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- Brazil beat the hosts Spain in the final, and Russia finished third. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place))
- 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))
- Spain beat Italy in the 2004 final, and Brazil took the bronze. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place))
- Italy finished third in Brazil in 2008 and again in Thailand in 2012. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place))
- Portugal beat Argentina in the final and Brazil took third place. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2021. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, third place))

## Test 7: The Beaten Finalists

- Brazil beat the United States in the second World Cup final. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- Between those defeats Spain won the finals of 2000 and 2004. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up))
- 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))
- 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))
- 1996, 2008 and 2012: three defeats, all against Brazil. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals and runners-up))

## Test 8: Finals by the Numbers

- Argentina beat Russia 5-4 in Cali, nine goals in all. (Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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))
- Four finals ended 2-1: 1989, 2004, 2021 and 2024. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores))
- 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))
- Brazil won their home final in 2008; the Netherlands and Spain lost theirs. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores))
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- 1992, 2004, 2016 and 2024. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores))
- Three goals in 2004, seven in 2000 and ten in 1996. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, final scores))

## Test 9: Records and Streaks

- Brazil have done it twice, Spain once, at the start of the 2000s. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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))
- Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Portugal are the only winners. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists))
- Brazil have played seven finals, Spain five and Argentina three. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists))
- Spain played every final from 1996 to 2012, winning two and losing three. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (all-editions table, finals))
- The 2016, 2021 and 2024 finals were played without Spain. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists))
- 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))
- 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))
- 1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, 2012 and 2024. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists))
- 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners and finalists))

## Test 10: Reading the Honours Board

- Spain won two and Portugal one; the other seven went to Brazil and Argentina. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup")
- 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))
- 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))
- 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))
- Iran knocked Brazil out on penalties in the round of 16 in Colombia. (Source: Wikipedia, "2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup" (round of 16))
- 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))
- 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))
- Six won and one lost: seven finals, more than any other nation. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records))
- Brazil have six, Spain two and Portugal one. (Source: Wikipedia, "FIFA Futsal World Cup" (winners, medals and all-time records))
- 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))

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.

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