Futsal has continued to grow in global popularity over the past few decades with one source estimating 12 million players across the world play the game.

Due to its easy setup and enhanced accessibility futsal has become an essential resource for coaches aiming to develop players.

But futsal’s rules are intricate - especially those applicable to this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Here’s what you need to know.

A match lasts 40 minutes. That is, in fact, 40 minutes of the ball in play, because when the whistle blows – when, say, the ball goes out or a foul is called – the timekeeper stops the clock until play restarts.

The two 20-minute halves are split by a 15-minute half-time break. If a knockout-phase game is level after 40 minutes, two five-minute periods of extra-time will be played.

Teams

Uzbekistan 2024 squads consist of 14 players. Each team has five players – four out-court and one goalkeeper – on court simultaneously, unless a sending off has occurred.

Substitutions

Coaches can make unlimited substitutions. There is no limit to how many times a player can be substituted on and off.

Four-second rule

A goalkeeper must release the ball within four seconds while in his own half. If he doesn’t, an indirect free-kick will be awarded to the opposition team. Set-pieces – kick-ins, corners and free-kicks – must be taken within four seconds or the opposition team will be awarded an indirect free-kick.

Goalkeepers in possession

Once a goalkeeper has touched the ball in his own half, he is not permitted to touch it again inside his own half until the opposition have had possession.

Kick-ins

There are no throw-ins. When the ball goes out via the side-line, or for a corner, it must be kicked back in.

Accumulated fouls

When a team has made five fouls in one half, every subsequent foul will result in their opponents being awarded a free shot at goal, with no wall permitted in between, from the second penalty spot (10 metres out). If the foul occurred closer to goal, it can be taken from where it occurred. First-half fouls are wiped at half-time, but second-half fouls are carried into extra-time if it is required.

Red cards

Players are sent off for two yellow cards or a straight red. Their team must then play with only four players on the court until the opposition scores or for two minutes. If the opposition scores, or once two minutes is up if not, a replacement can be sent on. The sent-off player is not permitted to return to the game.

Flying goalkeepers

A flying goalkeeper is when an out-court player temporarily assumes the role of a goalkeeper. This is invariably done when a team is behind and trying to outnumber the opposition in attack. A flying goalkeeper must wear a goalkeeper’s jersey with his own number on the back.

Time-outs

Each head coach has one time-out, whereby play is stopped for 60 seconds for him to speak to his players, in each half. A head coach can only call a time-out when the ball goes out of play and his team will restart it. There are no time-outs in extra-time.

Penalty shootouts

If a knockout-phase game is level after extra-time, a penalty shootout will decide the outcome. Whichever team is leading after each has taken five penalties will go through. If it’s level after five penalties apiece, sudden death will ensue. Players who have withdrawn from the game injured or been sent off are not permitted to take penalties.

An outfield player is permitted to act as a goalkeeper during penalties. Teams are permitted to alternate their goalkeepers during the shootout.

If Afghanistan’s first match of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 is anything to go by then fans across the country are in for a treat after the team thumped Angola 6-4 on Sunday afternoon in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Roared on by the crowd at Humo Arena, Afghanistan were 5-2 up at half-time.

Goals were scored by Farzad Mahmoodi, Omid Qanbari, Hussain Mohammadi, Mahdi Norowzi, Akbar Kazemi, and Reza Hossein Poor.

Player of the Match went to Akbar Kazemi, who made 11 attempts at goal in total.

Next up for Afghanistan are 2016 champions Argentina on Wednesday. Angola, for their part, will look to rebound against Ukraine.

Fans across the country can stay tuned to Ariana Television to watch all the thrills and spills live as Ariana Television Network (ATN) is the official broadcaster of the tournament in Afghanistan.

Related stories:

Afghanistan’s futsal team secures bronze medal in five-a-side tournament

Norouzi says no reason why Afghanistan can’t win Futsal World Cup

Afghanistan will meet Angola later Sunday, September 15, in their first FIFA Futsal World Cup match in Uzbekistan.

The match will kick off at 4.30pm and will be broadcast live on Ariana Television. 

Players have spent the past week in practise, preparing for their matches, and said Saturday they are well prepared for their debut at this year’s Futsal World Cup. 

The World Cup got underway on Saturday, September 14, in Uzbekistan. 

Twenty-four teams will take part in the tournament, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut and Portugal defending the title they won three years ago in Lithuania.

The first-ever FIFA tournament in Central Asia kicked off on 14 September in Bukhara and the capital, Tashkent. The eastern city of Andijan will complete the trio of venues for the 24-team competition. 

The 2024 edition will be the tenth in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup and will run until October 6.

Uzbekistan will be joined in the competition by four former champions - Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Spain - and four debutantes: Afghanistan, France, New Zealand and Tajikistan. 

Angola, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Guatemala, Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela complete the line-up after successfully completing the 121-team qualifying process.