Brazil is easily the most successful nation at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. However, other national teams have gotten stronger in recent years. A rubric was developed to determine which teams have been the most historically successful. The points rubric awards progressively more points the further a national team went in the knock-out rounds. The results show Brazil and Spain have been easily the best two nations in the sport.
POINTS RUBRIC
16 pts – World Cup winner
8 pts – Second Place
4 pts – Reached final 4 teams
2 pts – Reached final 8 teams
1 pts – Reached final 16 teams
(This only counts teams that played a knock-out game or reached the 2nd round of games)
TOP 5 MOST SUCCESSFUL NATIONS AT FUTSAL
1. BRAZIL – 97 pts.
Not only is Brazil the most successful national team at the FIFA World Cup, it is also the most successful nation at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The Brazilian team has been a dominant force in the sport, winning a record 5 titles. Brazil won the tournament in 1989, 1992, 1996, 2008, and 2012, showcasing their unmatched skill and talent in this fast-paced game. The team has also finished as runners-up in 2000 and 2016, further solidifying their status as a powerhouse in futsal. Falcão, one of the greatest futsal players of all time, has scored the most goals in the tournament’s history, with 48 goals.
2. SPAIN – 64 pts.
The best European country in futsal is Spain. Its national team has consistently performed at a high level in international competitions. The Spanish team has won 2 Futsal World Cup titles, claiming in 2000 and 2004. Spain has also finished as runners-up in 2008 and 2012, showcasing their consistent performance and tactical prowess on the futsal court. Spain’s goalkeeper, Luis Amado, had 4 clean sheets in the 2004 tournament.
3. ARGENTINA – 38 pts.
Argentina is another Spanish-speaking country that has been very good at futsal. The Argentine team has won the tournament once, in 2016, with Fernando Wilhelm winning the Golden Ball. Argentina has also finished as runners-up in 2004, further highlighting their competitiveness at the highest level of futsal. 1996 was the only year where the team did not at least make it to the second round.
4. PORTUGAL – 28 pts.
In recent years, Portugal has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in futsal, showcasing their skills and talent on the international stage. The Portuguese team won the most recent Futsal World Cup in 2021, making it the only national team that has not won the FIFA World Cup to win the Futsal World Cup. It also reached the semi-finals in 2000 and 2016. Portugal’s rise in futsal has been marked by their technical ability and flair, making them a formidable opponent for any team. Ricardinho, one of the best futsal players in the world, has won the Futsal World Player of the Year award multiple times.
5. RUSSIA – 24 pts.
Russia has been much more successful in the Futsal World Cup than the FIFA World Cup. The Russian team finished as runners-up in 2016. In 1996, 2000, and 2008, the team also reached the semi-finals, displaying their competitiveness and skill in the sport. However Russia has never won the tournament. Russia’s team has often been known for their defensive solidity and tactical discipline.
HISTORIC RANKING TABLE OF ALL NATIONAL TEAMS
| National Team | All-Time | 1989 | 1992 | 1996 | 2000 | 2004 | 2008 | 2012 | 2016 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 97 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 56 | 60 | 76 | 92 | 93 | 97 |
| Spain | 64 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 44 | 52 | 60 | 62 | 64 |
| Argentina | 38 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 30 | 38 |
| Portugal | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 28 |
| Russia | 24 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 22 | 24 |
| Italy | 21 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| Netherlands | 14 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| United States | 14 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Iran | 13 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 13 |
| Ukraine | 11 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
| Paraguay | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Belgium | 8 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Kazakhstan | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Colombia | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Egypt | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Thailand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Vietnam | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Czech Republic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Japan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Morocco | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Azerbaijan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Croatia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Hungary | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Poland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Uruguay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Venezuela | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Costa Rica | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Panama | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
