FIFA has once again shown a lack of respect for futsal by promoting the World Cup with a poster that exclusively features football stars. This is not the first time this has happened, but the timing—just before the start of the tenth edition of the Futsal World Cup—has sparked controversy. The sport has long fought against the narrative that reduces it to a mere stepping stone for developing football legends, a sentiment reflected in FIFA’s social media posts. The promotional poster, featuring Neymar, Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Cristiano Ronaldo, has been seen as the final straw. While it’s common to use football stars to promote futsal, this time it hit a nerve.
reaction
Daniel Ibañes, a futsal legend, voiced his frustration, stating, “We are still the little football team.” He and other futsal icons like Paulo Roberto, Falcao, or Ricardinho could have been showcased instead. There are countless futsal ambassadors to choose from, but FIFA’s decision has ignited a wave of criticism on social media. Rafa Usín, an international player, said bluntly, “It’s regrettable that this is the poster for the biggest event in futsal. Until we rid ourselves of this stigma, we won’t advance, but regress.”
Even Amandinha, the world’s top female futsal player, expressed her disbelief: “There are things you can’t believe.” French national team captain Kevin Ramirez was one of the few players to openly demand respect on social media. Palma Futsal, a two-time UEFA Futsal Champions League winner, joined the protest with the hashtag #RespectForFutsal.
Antonio Vadillo, Palma Futsal’s coach, criticized the decision further, saying, “It’s not hard to take care of our sport and honor futsal champions, those who have left a lasting legacy.” Other coaches like Dani Rodriguez and Xavi Closas also weighed in, mocking FIFA’s approach. Former players such as Álvaro Aparicio emphasized that futsal is a distinct sport with its own athletes, and they deserve recognition.
FIFA Silent
Despite the online backlash, FIFA remained silent. Their focus ahead of the World Cup in Uzbekistan was on promoting football, with little regard for futsal’s stars like Sergio Lozano, Ferrao, or Pany Varela. In response, futsal fans have created their own posters featuring legends like Ferrao, Cuzzolino, Ricardinho, and Javi Rodriguez. These posters are being widely shared by coaches and players as a form of protest. Costa Rica’s coach, Alex Ramos, summed it up: “With all due respect, futsal is not football. We have our history and our stars.”
The 10th FIFA Futsal World Cup begins on 14 September and runs until 6 October. Portugal will defend its title, with Brazil, Spain, and Argentina all vying for glory. The tournament features a mix of veterans and newcomers, with teams like Afghanistan, Angola, and Tajikistan making their debut in what promises to be a highly competitive event.