What Is 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup squads

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup squads consisted of 24 national teams, each registering up to 14 players, with final rosters confirmed by September 10, 2016, ahead of the tournament in Colombia. The event marked the eighth edition of the Futsal World Cup, held from September 10 to October 1, 2016.

Key Facts

24 national teams participated in the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup
Each squad could include up to 14 players, with a minimum of two goalkeepers
The tournament was hosted in Colombia from September 10 to October 1, 2016
Brazil won the championship, defeating Argentina 5–4 in the final
A total of 56 matches were played across six host cities

Overview

The 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup was the eighth edition of the international futsal championship organized by FIFA, featuring national teams competing in a fast-paced indoor format. Held in Colombia, the tournament brought together 24 qualified nations, each submitting a final squad of up to 14 players.

Teams were required to register their final rosters by September 10, 2016, just before the opening match. The competition showcased elite futsal talent, with strict regulations on player eligibility, squad composition, and substitutions during matches.

24 teams qualified for the tournament, marking the first expansion from the previous 20-team format, increasing global representation.
Each national squad had to include at least two goalkeepers among the 14 players, as mandated by FIFA regulations for safety and gameplay balance.
The host nation, Colombia, automatically qualified and fielded a full 14-player roster, including key players like Jhon Cano and Orlando Galindo.
Brazil entered as defending champions and named a squad led by star forward Falcão, who played in his final World Cup appearance.
The youngest player in the tournament was Iran’s Alireza Samimi at 18 years old, while the oldest was Spain’s José Antonio Navarro at 38.

How It Works

The squad selection process for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup followed strict FIFA guidelines regarding eligibility, registration deadlines, and team composition. National federations submitted final lists after preliminary training camps and qualification campaigns.

Final Deadline: All squads had to be submitted to FIFA by September 10, 2016. No changes were allowed after this date except in cases of serious injury.
Player Caps: A total of 336 players (24 teams × 14 players) were officially registered for the tournament, with detailed profiles published by FIFA.
Injury Replacements: Teams could replace injured players before their first match, provided medical documentation was submitted to FIFA’s technical committee.
Squad Numbers: Players wore jersey numbers from 1 to 14, with number 1 traditionally assigned to the starting goalkeeper.
Age Range: The average age across all squads was 27.4 years, reflecting a balance between experienced players and emerging talent.
Club Representation: Several players competed while under contract with clubs in Brazil, Spain, and Russia, the dominant futsal nations at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key squad details from top-performing nations in the 2016 tournament:

Country	Final Position	Number of Players	Average Age	Top Scorer
Brazil	Champions	14	28.1	Falcão (5 goals)
Argentina	Runners-up	14	27.6	Nicolás Sarmiento (4 goals)
Russia	Semifinals	14	26.9	Dmitriy Lyskov (6 goals)
Iran	Quarterfinals	14	25.3	Vahid Shamsaei (3 goals)
Italy	Round of 16	14	27.8	Matteo Di Perna (2 goals)

These squads reflected national strategies, with Brazil relying on veteran leadership and Iran fielding one of the youngest teams. The tournament highlighted tactical evolution in futsal, with substitutions and player roles becoming increasingly specialized.

Why It Matters

The 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup squads represented a milestone in the sport’s global development, showcasing increased participation and competitive depth. The event helped elevate futsal’s profile, influencing national investment and youth development programs.

Brazil’s victory reinforced its status as a futsal powerhouse, winning their fifth title and setting a record for most World Cup championships.
The inclusion of first-time participants like Tajikistan and Vietnam expanded the sport’s international footprint and encouraged emerging federations.
Media coverage reached 178 countries, with FIFA reporting record viewership for indoor football events.
Several players, such as Iran’s Alireza Esmaeilifar, gained international attention, leading to professional contracts in top European leagues.
The tournament influenced rule changes in subsequent years, including stricter concussion protocols and expanded video review systems.
It served as a model for future squad management, with FIFA standardizing roster submission and injury replacement policies for 2021 and beyond.

The 2016 squads not only defined a competitive era but also laid the groundwork for the continued growth and professionalization of futsal worldwide.