When the ball gets smaller, the beautiful game becomes yet more creative and captivating - and you'll be able to enjoy the best of futsal betting with William Hill.

With its origins in South America, where a Uruguayan teacher is credited with inventing the indoor sport in the 1930's, the term futsal comes from the Spanish ‘futbol sala' and Portuguese ‘futebol de salao'.

It may literally translate as ‘lounge football', but there's nothing laid back about the increasingly popular sport.

For a start, it is overseen by two governing bodies who have never quite seen eye-to-eye, AMF (Asociacon Mundial de Futsal) and FIFA, a name that will be recognised by anyone with a passing interest in the game of soccer.

For the futsal fan, however, the split only ensures there's even more match action - and therefore futsal betting - to enjoy, with each governing body having their own versions of the top international tournaments.

AMF have a World Cup every four years and a European Championship every two years, with the equivalent competitions in women's futsal too. Meanwhile, FIFA's Futsal World Cup also occurs every four years, traditionally taking place the year after AMF's version.

But given the size of the organisation, it comes as no surprise that FIFA also boast additional futsal continental championships all over the world, meaning it's not just Futsal World Cup betting on offer on the international futsal scene.

As well as the biennial UEFA Futsal Championship, FIFA also oversee the Copa America de Futsal, CONCACAF Futsal Championship, Africa Futsal of Nations, the AFC Futsal Championship and the Oceanian Futsal Championship.

Of course, as in traditional 11-a-side soccer, there is a thriving club level of competitive futsal too, with individual countries having domestic leagues as well as a range of global and continental club competitions, including AMF's Club World Cup FIFA's Intercontinental Futsal Cup, Copa Libertadores de Futsal and the UEFA Futsal Cup.

For more top previews, reaction, analysis and futsal betting predictions on the sport's biggest fixtures, make sure to head to news.williamhill.com.

Futsal betting rules, odds and markets

As with 11-a-side football familiar to millions, there are a wealth of ways bettors can get involved with the end-to-end action on a futsal court.

For every top futsal match we're on betting on at William Hill, you'll not only be able to bet on the outright winning team in the home/draw/away markets, but we'll also offer goalscorer, total goals scored in games, first and second half, over/under and even handicap markets.

Meanwhile, our range of in-play options will allow you to get right in on the action as a match unfolds minute-by-minute with futsal live betting.

Our in-play futsal betting rules give you more control on your futsal betting, with our Cash Out button giving you the advantage of settling your bet when it is in the ascendancy, meaning you could be quids in no matter what the final score.

While many of the rules, and therefore betting markets, overlap with football – indeed both forms of the game feature 17 laws covering the same topics - there are still a few notable variations in the smaller form of the game that are worth knowing before betting on futsal.

With five players on each side, one of whom is the goalkeeper, the game is played on an indoor court roughly a third of the size of a standard grass football pitch, with the ball on average around six centimetres smaller.

With a deliberate emphasis on speed, creativity and technique, futsal boasts a much higher average goals per game average compared to its older and bigger brother.

To emphasise the fact, the average goals scored per game at the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018 was 2.6. At the Futsal World Cup in Colombia in 2016, the average goals per game stood at 6.7.

Given association football is played over two halves of 45 minutes, while international futsal is predominantly played over two halves of 20 minutes, the average goals per minute is also considerably higher in futsal well worth knowing if you're Futsal World Cup betting.

A key rule in futsal that also proves conducive to repeated attacking play is in its stringent punishments for repeated fouls.

Upon the sixth accumulated foul by either side, a free-kick is awarded outside the area known as the second penalty mark – in other words in a clear goalscoring zone.

Lastly, to ensure the frenetic pace and entertainment does not wilt towards the end, there are no limitations on substitutions in a futsal match, with the team manager able to rotate his matchday squad of 14 as often as he or she pleases.

Futsal world cup betting and top teams

There are no prizes for guessing which international team has dominated world of futsal since organised international competitions began in the 80s. Brazil won the first two competitions held by AMF, while in FIFA's version they've proven even more powerful.

It took them 72 years to claim an unprecedented five World Cup titles in association football, but in the futsal equivalent it took just 23 years, claiming their fifth futsal title in Thailand in 2012, defeating Spain 3-2 after extra time.

Although the AMF women's tournament only began in 2008, the Brazilians have already claimed the crown in that tournament too, defeating old foes Argentina 4-2 in 2017.

In both the men's and women's game Brazil are regularly found at the very top of the world rankings, with Spain usually the closest challenger.

Elsewhere around the world, except the odd challenge from Japan, Iran have long bossed proceedings in Asia, Egypt have proven time and again to be the strongest Africa contender, while the Americas has seen arguably the most even battles.

The CONCACAF Futsal Championship has been shared between United States, Costa Rica and Guatemala, ensuring plenty of exciting futsal betting potential.

Futsal betting guide

While Brazil may lead the way on the international scene, things aren't quite so cut and dry at club level.

It's true that in the women's game, few have been able to get close to Amandinha, the Brazilian multiple-award winner widely viewed as the best female futsal player in the world.

In the men's game, however, it is a Portuguese forward by the name of Ricardinho who rules the futsal courts in the same magical manner of Messi and Ronaldo in their pomp. His side, Spanish champs Inter Movistar, are also regularly crowned the best club team in the world.

They've not only dominated the Spanish domestic league, but also in European and International competitions too, making them a favourite pick in the Futsal Champions League betting.

#YourOdds

If you're ready to go hard on the hardcourt and explore the exciting world of futsal betting

but can't find the sort of bet or market you're ideally looking for, then fear not – instead head to the William Hill #YourOdds page.

Bets that have been requested by other bettors looking at the same futsal betting markets as you will be listed.

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