For parents of futsal players of all ages, under the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26 published by Canada Soccer. Covers players, match length, ball, equipment, substitutions, kick-ins, four-second rule, accumulated fouls and youth modifications.
Each team has a maximum of five players on the pitch, one of whom must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or resume if either team has fewer than three players.
Futsal is a different game from outdoor soccer under its own set of laws, the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game, which Canada Soccer publishes (2025-26 edition) on its competition and referee resources pages. Main differences are covered in the other questions: rolling substitutions, kick-ins instead of throw-ins, no offside, a four-second rule and accumulated fouls.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 3, published by Canada Soccer: https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FIFA_Futsal_Laws-of_the_Game_2025-2026.pdf
A match is two equal periods of 20 minutes of playing time, which can only be shortened if the competition rules allow it. The timekeeper stops the clock when play is stopped and ends each period with an acoustic signal. Half-time lasts no more than 15 minutes, and the competition rules state the exact length.
Each team is entitled to a one-minute timeout in each period, requested by a team official to the third referee or timekeeper. A team that does not use its first-period timeout still only gets one in the second period. During a timeout the players may stay on or leave the pitch (they must leave to have a drink), substitutes must stay off the pitch, team officials may not give instructions on the pitch, and substitutions can only be made after the signal ending the timeout. There are no timeouts in extra time.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 7, published by Canada Soccer.
No. Law 11 states simply: "There is no offside in futsal."
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 11, published by Canada Soccer.
The standard futsal ball is spherical, with a circumference of 62cm to 64cm, a weight of 400g to 440g at the start of the match, and a pressure of 0.6 to 0.9 atmospheres at sea level. It must not bounce lower than 50cm or higher than 65cm on the first rebound when dropped from a height of 2m.
National associations may approve a different size, weight and material of ball for youth, veterans', disability and grassroots futsal.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 2 and Notes, published by Canada Soccer.
The compulsory equipment for a player is:
A player whose footwear or shinguard is lost accidentally must replace it as soon as possible and no later than when the ball next goes out of play. Undershirts must be a single colour matching the main colour of the shirt sleeve, and undershorts or tights must match the main colour of the shorts.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 4, published by Canada Soccer.
An unlimited number of substitutions may be made, at any time, whether the ball is in play or not, except during a timeout.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 3, published by Canada Soccer.
When the ball crosses a touchline, or hits the ceiling of an indoor pitch, play restarts with a kick-in instead of a throw-in. It goes to the opponents of the team that last touched the ball.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Laws 9 and 15, published by Canada Soccer.
Kick-ins, goal clearances, corner kicks and free kicks must be taken within four seconds of the team being ready to take them (or of the referee signalling that the team is ready). If the restart is late:
For goalkeepers, an indirect free kick is also awarded if the goalkeeper controls the ball with the hands, arms or feet in their own half for more than four seconds.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Laws 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17, published by Canada Soccer.
Fouls penalised with a direct free kick are accumulated for each team, separately in each period, and recorded in the match report. A team's fifth accumulated foul in a period is signalled by the officials.
From the sixth accumulated foul in a period, and for every later one, the opponents get a direct free kick without a wall (a "DFKSAF"):
Accumulated fouls from the second period carry into extra time, if it is played.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 13, published by Canada Soccer.
The Futsal Laws allow national associations to approve modifications for youth, veterans', disability and grassroots futsal. The permitted ones are:
National associations decide the age limits for youth futsal and which lowest-level competitions count as grassroots. No other modifications are allowed without FIFA's permission. So the standard 20-minute periods, ball and pitch described in this FAQ can be different in a youth competition, but the other Laws (no offside, accumulated fouls, four-second rule and so on) stay the same.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Notes on the Futsal Laws, published by Canada Soccer.
For non-international matches the touchline (length) must be 25m to 42m and the end line (width) 16m to 25m, and the touchline must be longer than the end line. All lines are 8cm wide. The penalty mark is 6m from the midpoint between the goalposts. Competition rules set the exact size within those limits, and the Laws let national associations set the pitch size for youth, veterans', disability and grassroots futsal.
Source: FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2025-26, Law 1 and Notes, published by Canada Soccer.