The origin of Futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competitors in YMCAs. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls.

The term FUTSAL is the international term used for the game. It is derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word for "soccer", FUTbol or FUTebol, and the French or Spanish word for "indoor", SALon or SALa.

The game is frequently referred to as Five-A-Side. Once Ceriani got the ball rolling, Futsal gained rapid popularity throughout South America, particularly in Brazil. The skill developed in this game is visible in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized field. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto, Ronaldo and other Brazilian superstars developed their skill playing Futsal. While Brazil continues to be the hub of the Futsal world, the game is now played, under the auspices of FIFA, all over the world, in Europe, North and Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Asia and Oceania.

The first international competition took place in 1965, when Paraguay won the first South American Cup. Six more South American Cups were held through 1979, with Brazil winning them all. Brazil continued its dominance with a victory in the first two Pan American Cups in 1980 and then again in 1984. A U.S. team took part in the 1984 cup, but finished out of the running.

The U.S. Futsal Federation was incorporated in January, 1983. Osvaldo Garcia was the first president. The game originally was referred to as Mini-Soccer and then became known by its official international name, Futsal. The current federation president is Alexander J.C. Para.

The first Futsal World Championship conducted under the auspices of FIFUSA (before its members integrated into FIFA in 1989) was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1982, with Brazil finishing in first place. The Brazilians repeated as champions at the second World Championship in 1985 in Spain, but lost to Paraguay in the third World Championship in 1988 in Australia. FIFA assumed direct sponsorship of the event in 1989 in Holland and 1992 in Hong Kong. Brazil won both times. The U.S. Futsal (Indoor Team), finished third in 1989 and second in 1992. The highest showing by any team from the United States in a FIFA tournament until the U.S. women's team won the gold medal in the inaugural Women’s World Cup (outdoor) in China. The Third FIFA World Futsal Championship was held November 24-December 11, 1996, in Spain, while the fourth was held November 18-December 4th, 2000 in Guatemala.

The first international Futsal match in the United States was held in December, 1985, at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif. The U.S. select team, defeated Australia, 9-5.

U.S. Futsal has conducted a National Championship each year since 1985. Futsal is establishing itself at the youth level in the U.S. The Boys and Girls Clubs of America took a strong interest after the Columbia Park Club in San Francisco asked the Federation to give a demonstration. The national organization adopted the sport, and it is now played at about 1,100 Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the U.S. The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) also has adopted Futsal and has worked closely with U.S. Futsal since 1988.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) and U.S. Futsal signed an agreement in August of 1995, to promote Futsal in all National State Associations under the auspices of U.S. Futsal.

For more information please visit FIFA official FUTSAL web site: www.fifa.com