Youth and Adult Teams Compete August 7-10th in One of World’s Fastest-Growing Sports

USA Futsal, an organization dedicated to promoting the game of futsal in the United States, today announced details for the first-ever World Futsal Championships to be held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort, August 7-10, 2014:

- 56 teams across eight different age groups and both male and female divisions

- 44 American teams from 11 different states across all four regions of the country

- 12 international teams from six countries (Spain, Brazil, Canada, Bermuda, Uruguay and Australia) – including FC Barcelona, the most recognizable futsal club in the world and reigning champions of the 2013 World Futsal Cup

Opening ceremonies of the World Futsal Championships will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 6 with an appearance by iconic Disney character Mickey Mouse. Pool play begins across all age divisions on Thursday, August 7. The top two teams with the best records in each division advance to the championship games on Sunday, August 10.

A complete tournament schedule and updated tournament scores can be found at www.cup.usafutsal.com/schedule/. Tournament scores will be updated daily on cup.usafutsal.com. For up to the minute news, images from Orlando, follow USA Futsal on Facebook (USA Futsal), Twitter (@usafutsal) and Instagram (U5AFUTSAL).

“The World Futsal Championships are an important first step in introducing the popular international sport of futsal to the American audience,” said USA Futsal President Rob Andrews. “With fanatical following for the sport in South America and across Europe, we are bringing the highest level of competition to these championships for an unforgettable experience.”

On Friday, August 8, USA Futsal will also host an International Futsal coaching symposium featuring U.S. Soccer National Team Coach Keith Tozer, Director of FC Barcelona’s Reserves Andreu Plaza and FC Barcelona Youth Academy Director Txus Lahoz.

What is Futsal?

Futsal, created in Brazil and Uruguay in the 1930’s, is a variation of the game of soccer with five players per side. The game is played primarily indoors on a surface without walls or boards that is slightly larger than a basketball court. Many top professional soccer players such as Pele, Ronaldo and 2014 FIFA World Cup Golden Ball award winner Lionel Messi credit their exceptional footwork, ball control and decision making to their experience as futsal players.

Based on previous FIFA World Cup stats, Futsal vs soccer averages:

- 600% more ball contact
- 3x more goals scored
- 6 minutes between each goal
- 43 seconds between each shot

About USA Futsal

Headquartered in Cary, N.C., USA Futsal is an organization dedicated to connecting Americans to the world’s fastest-growing sport through education, events and experiences that foster awareness, understanding and a passion for the game of futsal. Learn more and see game videos at www.usafutsal.com.

















FP Staff --> info@futsalplanet.com