Is Futsal 5v5 or 6v6? Here’s the Real Breakdown

Quick answer:
Futsal is officially played 5v5 — four outfield players and one goalkeeper on each side. Some social comps may allow 6v6 variations, but the international standard remains five players per team on the court.

Ever walked into a local futsal comp and heard someone shout, “Are we playing five or six today?” You’re not alone. The confusion’s real — especially if you’ve toggled between social leagues and FIFA-based tournaments. Let’s clear things up: futsal at its core is 5v5. But, as always, context matters.

What’s the official team size in futsal?

According to the FIFA Laws of the Game, futsal is a 5-a-side sport. Each team consists of:

• 1 goalkeeper
• 4 outfield players

That’s it. No extras on the pitch at any given time unless a red card or injury shakes things up. Teams can make unlimited substitutions, and they usually do — it’s a fast-paced game with non-stop rotations.

Some indoor centres or school comps might modify it for fun, crowd size, or available space. That’s where you might see 6v6, 4v4, or even mixed-gender formats. But in terms of international or sanctioned play? It’s 5v5 through and through.

Why is futsal played 5v5 instead of 6v6?

The short version: space and speed.

Futsal is played on a compact court, usually no larger than a basketball surface. Throw more players into the mix, and suddenly it’s a traffic jam. With 5v5:

• Players have enough space to dribble, pass, and pivot
• There’s constant motion, forcing quick decision-making
• The game favours tight ball control over physicality

Anyone who’s played both futsal and outdoor football knows: futsal is like pressure cooking your skill development. Add another body per team, and that development can stall — it becomes crowd control rather than fluid play.

What happens if a team goes below five players?

Here’s a fun but often overlooked rule: if a team is reduced to fewer than three players — for example, through red cards — they must forfeit the match. Three is the bare minimum to keep playing.

So while futsal starts 5v5, a match could legally continue 4v5 or even 3v5, though let’s be honest — it’s rarely pretty.

Are there any leagues that play 6v6 futsal?

Yes — but usually in non-regulated, social or school environments. Indoor sports venues sometimes adapt futsal into what they call “indoor soccer”, which can be 6v6 or even 7v7. But that’s technically not futsal by definition.

In fact, this blend of formats is part of why many Aussies grew up a bit confused about what “futsal” actually is. Some weekend comps advertise it as futsal, but run it with larger teams and allow wall rebounds — two things true futsal doesn’t do.

If you’re typing futsal near me trying to find a league, double-check whether it’s proper futsal (5v5, no walls, futsal ball) or modified indoor soccer.

What’s the impact of the 5v5 format on gameplay?

Smaller teams mean every player matters more. There’s no hiding out on the wing or fading into the background. You’re constantly:

• Making decisions under pressure
• Rotating between attack and defence
• Supporting teammates across a tight space
• Playing with fewer touches but greater urgency

There’s also a heavy emphasis on team chemistry. A slick one-two can break a defence wide open. But slack off for half a second, and you’ll be the reason your team’s picking the ball out of your net.

As one coach told me, “If football is a novel, futsal is a poem. Every word counts.”

Is futsal more intense than traditional football?

It’s a different kind of intensity. In football, you might sprint 40 metres once and then jog for five. In futsal, you’re making sharp, high-effort bursts every few seconds — pressing, tracking back, offering an outlet.

There’s no room to switch off.

The game also flows differently: kick-ins instead of throw-ins, smaller goals, no offside rule, and goalkeepers who act almost like sweepers. That constant pressure and tight space help build sharper vision, better reflexes, and improved ball mastery.

No wonder so many greats — Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar — credit futsal as a key part of their development.

FAQ

Can you play futsal with six players per side?
You can — but it’s no longer traditional futsal. Most 6v6 matches are considered indoor soccer, not FIFA-regulated futsal.

What if our team has six players show up?
Five play at once. The sixth can sub in, since futsal allows unlimited rolling substitutions from a designated area.

Are there youth versions that allow 6v6?
Yes, younger age groups or community programs might modify the format for participation purposes, but they often transition to 5v5 as players get older.

Final thoughts: Is futsal 5v5 or 6v6?

It’s 5v5. No question. That’s the official format recognised by global federations, and it’s the format designed to enhance technical growth, speed of thought, and teamwork in tight spaces.

While some social leagues tweak the numbers for fun or convenience, calling it futsal doesn’t make it so. The magic of futsal lies in its structure — the relentless 5v5 flow that sharpens skills and demands constant involvement.

If you’ve ever Googled futsal near me, you’re likely looking for that pure 5v5 experience. Trust me — it’s where the fun (and the learning) really begins.