CIFA Futsal League – The Launch

What is Futsal?

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small-sided football game. It is widely played across the world and is the small-sided football format that is officially recognized by FIFA. The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure. It is an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game.

Futsal began in Uruguay and Brazil a shortage of playing pitches forced players to play smallsided football.

Futsal is a five-a-side game, normally played on a flat indoor pitch with hockey sized goals and a size 4 ball with a reduced bounce. It is played to touchline, and all players are free to enter the penalty area and play the ball over head-height. Games are 20 minutes per half. The laws of the game encourage and foster skillful, creative play above the physical contact that tends to be a feature in traditional football.

What are the Benefits of Playing Futsal?

There are several benefits for encouraging young people to play Futsal, as part of a balanced training program, to improve their overall technical development. Futsal is an extremely important way for kids to develop their skills and their understanding of the game. The nature of Futsal, with the smaller confines of the pitch, makes it harder to find space. In addition, the line markings prevent easy escape from tight situations, the smaller heavier ball supports closer ball control, and the unique format supports the technical development of young players.

Research indicates that individuals playing Futsal receive the ball six times more often than they would do when they are playing 11-a-side football. This allows players to perform more individual techniques such as passes, controls, fakes, feints, dribbles and runs with the ball. As well as touching the ball more often, players will often receive the ball under pressure from opponents developing their confidence on the ball particularly in pressurized environments.

Futsal as a game naturally brings players into regular one-on-one situations with their opponent, encouraging players into quick decision making. One of the core attributes Futsal teaches young players is the importance of ball retention due to the threat of an immediate counterattack. Confidence on the ball, receiving a pass under pressure, decision-making in 1v1 situations, and ball retention are all important fundamental skills that we look to develop in young football players.

CIFA 2025 Futsal Launch

CIFA is excited to launch its Futsal program in 2025 with the start of the CIFA Women Futsal Super League.

The 2025 CIFA Women Futsal Super League competition will:

• Be conducted in accordance with the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game under the direction of the CIFA Competitions Department.

• Be held from January 2025 to July 2025.

• Be open to all senior female clubs registered with CIFA.

• Consist of 12 teams playing in a home and away league format and a FA Cup knockout.

• Consist of a minimum of 8 players per team and a maximum of 11 players per team.

• Be played on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (Saturdays and Sundays, were convenient) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• The matches are 20 minutes halves and the entire game from start to the end usually does not go over one hour.

• Be played at various indoor and outdoor venues in George Town.

• Award trophies and medals to the winners and runners up of the League and of the FA Cup.

CIFA Women Futsal Super League and FA Cup Competitions Format

• 12 teams will play in one league.

• Teams will play each other twice in the league (home and away).

• A total number of 132 leagues matches.

• The CIFA Women Futsal Super League Competition will also feature a FA Cup, which will comprise of all teams playing in a knockout format.

o In the first round of the knockout format (preliminary round), 4 teams will receive a bye, 8 teams will play the knockout matches based on a lottery.

o The winners of the first round of the knockout will join the 4 bye teams to make 8 teams’ quarter finals.

o The quarter finals winners will play the semifinals.

o The semifinals winners will play the big final.

o The matches will be distributed as follows: