All About Futsal Equipment: Complete Guide 2025

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All About Futsal Equipment

Futsal equipment, far from being mere details, guarantees the physical integrity of the players and the organization of the game.

Futsal is a sport of agility, technique and speed. For the spectacle on the court to take place in the best possible way, safety and standardization are fundamental.

Whether you’re a player, a fan or just curious about the sport, this complete guide will detail everything that is allowed and forbidden on futsal courts.

Safety First

The rule is clear: no item considered dangerous may be worn during a match. This includes any type of jewelry, such as necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. Covering them with tape is not a valid option. Before the whistle blows, the referees inspect the players to ensure that the rule has been complied with.

If an athlete enters the court with a prohibited item, they will be instructed to remove it. Refusal to comply may result in temporary removal from the court and, if insisted upon, a yellow card.

Every Futsal player’s must-have kit

To enter the court, each player must wear a set of compulsory items. They are:

Shirt with sleeves: The main part of the uniform.
Shorts: Must be standardized for the entire team.
Socks: Must completely cover the shin guards. If tape is used, it must be the same color as the sock.
Shin guards: Essential for protection, they must be made of suitable material and be of a size that offers reasonable protection. Responsibility for size and fit lies with the player.
Suitable footwear: Futsal shoes, with soles suitable for the court surface.

In addition, the team captain must wear a uniquely colored armband to distinguish himself from the others.

The Importance of Colors

Visual differentiation is crucial in futsal. The two teams must wear colors that distinguish them from each other and also from the referees. The goalkeepers follow the same logic, wearing different colored uniforms from the line players and the refereeing team.

Thermal clothing, such as shirts and shorts, also follow color rules and must match the main color of the uniform item they cover.

Additional Protective Equipment

The rule allows the use of non-hazardous protective equipment, as long as it is made of soft, lightweight material. Items such as gloves, head protectors, face masks and knee and arm protectors are authorized. Goalkeepers, in particular, are allowed to wear long pants.

For head, knee and arm protectors, there are specific color rules, which generally have to match the main color of the shirt or shorts, or be black or white if this is not possible.

Technology on the court

Electronic communication between players is strictly forbidden. However, the coaching staff may use devices such as tablets and cell phones for tactical purposes or to monitor the safety and well-being of the players.

Performance tracking systems (EPTS), known as “Wearable Technology”, are allowed in official competitions, as long as the technology does not pose a danger and is certified by the tournament organizers, such as FIFA.

No Personal Messages: Slogans and Advertising

Equipment may not contain slogans, statements or images of a political, religious or personal nature. The display of messages on underwear is also forbidden. The rule allows the display of the player’s number, name, team crest and advertising authorized by the competition.

The interpretation of what is a “political” message is strict and prohibits references to people (living or dead, unless part of the competition’s official name), political parties, governments or any organization considered discriminatory or offensive.

What Happens in the Event of an Infringement?

What if a piece of equipment is irregular but not dangerous (such as a shin guard out of place or a torn sock)? The game does not need to be stopped. The referee will instruct the offending player to leave the court at the next stoppage to correct their equipment.

To return, the athlete needs to follow two crucial steps:

Have the equipment checked by one of the referees.
Receive express permission from one of the referees to return to the game.

Returning to the court without this authorization results in a yellow card. If the player interferes with the play by entering irregularly, a serious foul is awarded (direct free kick or penalty kick) and counted as an accumulated foul for his team.

Player numbers

Have you ever noticed that the numbers on futsal shirts are rarely high? There’s a practical reason for this! Competition regulations generally stipulate a numbering from 1 to 15. The reason is simple: to make it easier for the referees to signal manually during the match.

By tradition, the number 1 is reserved for one of the goalkeepers. The most important thing is that each player’s number is clearly visible on the back of the shirt, in a color that contrasts with the main color of the uniform, ensuring that everyone is easily identifiable on the court.