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Beach soccer, also known as beach soccer, sand soccer or beasal, is an adaptation of classic soccer, played on beaches or sandy pitches. It is distinguished by its dynamism, combining skill, technique and creativity in a warm, festive atmosphere enjoyed by players and spectators alike.
This guide takes you on a journey through the history and development of beach soccer, detailing its specific rules, major tournaments and leading teams. Find out all you need to know about beach soccer, a sport that’s booming all over the world.
Definition: What is beach soccer?
Beach soccer, that exciting sport played on the sand, wasn’t always as we know it today. But where exactly did it come from? And how did it evolve to become the global sport it is today? Let’s discover the origins and evolution of beach soccer.
Beach soccer first saw the light of day on the beaches of Brazil towards the end of the 19th century. The story goes that European sailors, during their stopovers in Brazil, began playing soccer on the beaches, taking advantage of the moments of relaxation between two voyages. The Brazilians, already fervent soccer fans, joined them and adapted the game to the specific characteristics of the sand. And so beach soccer was born.
Beach soccer: from the beach to worldwide competition
Long played informally in coastal communities, with no precise rules or official organization, beach soccer took a decisive turn in 1992. That year, the laws of the game were formalized and a first pilot event was organized in Los Angeles, USA. The following year, Miami Beach, Florida, hosted the first professional beach soccer competition, with teams from four countries taking part: the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Italy.
The sport quickly attracts international attention thanks to its dynamism and the presence of famous players such as Éric Cantona, Romário, Zico and Míchel. Under the aegis of Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), created in 1996, international tournaments are multiplying, boosting beach soccer’s popularity worldwide.
Here are some of the key moments in the history of beach soccer:
- 1995: first unofficial World Cup, won by Brazil;
- 2004: FIFA officially adopts beach soccer and takes over the organization of international competitions;
- 2005: first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Éric Cantona’s France beat Portugal in the final;
- 2006: the number of teams taking part in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is increased from 12 to 16, and Brazil wins its first world title;
- 2011: Russia wins its first Beach Soccer World Championship ahead of Brazil;
- 2015: Portugal wins its first world title, beating Tahiti in the final;
- 2019: Portugal confirms its supremacy by retaining its world title, beating Italy in the final.
Beach soccer: what are the rules?
Beach soccer, which is played on sand, differs from traditional soccer, which is played on grass. But what exactly are the differences? How is a beach soccer team structured, and what role does each player play?
Let’s find out about the specific rules that make beach soccer such an exciting and dynamic sport.
What are the differences between beach soccer and traditional soccer?
Beach soccer differs from traditional soccer in a number of ways that influence the flow and style of play. The main differences are as follows:
- Match duration: a beach soccer match is divided into three 12-minute periods, separated by two three-minute breaks. Time is stopped for a goal, a foul, an injury or if a team is judged to be losing time. If the ball is in play, play continues until the end of the current action;
- Number of players: each team starts with five main players, a goalkeeper and four outfield players, plus seven substitutes, with an unlimited number of substitutions. Substitutions can take place at any time during the match and must be made in a specific area;
- Field: matches are played on sand with a minimum thickness of 40 cm. Field dimensions vary between 35 and 37 meters long and 26 and 28 meters wide, delimited by ten-centimeter lines. The goals are 2m20 high and 5m50 wide;
- Ball: with a circumference equivalent to that of a traditional soccer (68 to 70 cm), but lighter (between 400 and 440 grams), it is inflated to a pressure of 0.4 to 0.6 bar before the match;
- Referees: matches are officiated by two main referees, assisted by a third referee and a timekeeper located at the halfway line on the substitutes’ bench side.
What is the role of each beach soccer player?
A beach soccer team has five players on the pitch, including a goalkeeper, and seven substitutes. Players can change position according to the coach’s strategy.
- Attacker: primarily responsible for scoring goals, he must be agile, technical and capable of creating chances. His objective is to stand out, dribble and shoot;
- Midfielder: the link between defense and attack, he must be versatile, creative and hard-working. His mission is to recover the ball, organize play, pass and score;
- Defender: in charge of protecting the goal and countering opposing offensives, he must be quick, solid and skilful. He also plays a part in the construction of the game and can attempt long-range shots;
- Goalkeeper: the last defender, he can use his hands in the penalty area and his feet. He must restart play within four seconds and can score goals, except in the event of a handball.
Specific beach soccer rules
Beach soccer has specific rules that distinguish it from traditional soccer. The most important are as follows:
- Set-pieces: they must be taken within four seconds. Free kicks are direct and without a wall; touches may be taken with the feet or the hand; goal kicks and penalties may be taken by the goalkeeper. Penalties are taken from the nine-meter line;
- Fouls and penalties: a direct free kick is awarded for a foul. A penalty is awarded for a foul committed in the penalty area. Yellow and red cards are used to caution or expel offending players;
- Match result: a beach soccer match cannot end in a draw. In the event of a tie at the end of normal time, three minutes of extra time are played, followed, if necessary, by a penalty shoot-out.
Beach soccer around the world
Beach soccer, an exciting sport played on the sand, has won over fans all over the world. But which major events bring together the most talented national teams and clubs? Which nations dominate the sport? And what role does beach soccer play in promoting social inclusion and sporting culture on a global scale? Let’s delve into the world of beach soccer, a sport that unites people and inspires dreams.
Beach soccer: tournaments and competitions
Beach soccer is punctuated by a number of prestigious international competitions, in which the best national and club teams take part. Among the best-known are :
- FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: the ultimate beach soccer event, held every two years since 2005. Sixteen national teams take part, selected from the continental championships. Brazil, with six titles, and Portugal, with two, dominate the list of winners;
- Continental championships: qualification for the World Cup, organized by FIFA’s continental confederations. There are six continental championships: Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, CONCACAF and CONMEBOL;
- Intercontinental tournaments: managed by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), these events bring together teams from different continents. Among them, the BSWW Mundialito and the Intercontinental Cup stand out;
- Club tournaments: organized by BSWW, these bring together the most prestigious beach soccer clubs. The flagship tournament is the Club World Cup, recently won by Brazilian club Flamengo.
Which national teams dominate beach soccer?
Nations from every continent take part in beach soccer, but some have particularly distinguished themselves:
- Brazil: the beach soccer’s most successful nation, with six World Cups, 14 South American championships and numerous other titles. Legends such as Júnior and Romário have left their mark on beach soccer history;
- Portugal: reigning world champions, with victories in 2015 and 2019, and several European championships to their credit. Players like Madjer and Alan shine here;
- Russia: managed to dethrone Brazil in the 2011 World Cup final and repeated the feat in 2013, adding four European championships to its list of achievements;
- France: under the leadership of Eric Cantona, they won the World Cup in 2005 and were runners-up in 2006 and 2007, establishing themselves as a European beach soccer powerhouse.
How does beach soccer help promote social inclusion and global sporting culture?
Beach soccer plays a key role in promoting social inclusion and global sporting culture.
Accessible to all, beach soccer requires only a sand pitch, a ball and stakes for goals, enabling anyone to play the sport, wherever they are.
It promotes social integration by bringing together people from different backgrounds to play together in a spirit of fair play and tolerance.
By presenting a variety of playing styles and bringing together teams from all walks of life, beach soccer enriches global sporting culture and encourages intercultural dialogue.
To discover beach soccer is to open up to a fascinating sport played on the sand, which has seduced the whole world. You’ll have explored the origins and evolution of this discipline, understood its rules and discovered the international competitions and teams that dominate the field.
Beach soccer plays an important role in promoting social inclusion and sporting culture worldwide.
The sport is open to all, and stands out for its unique combination of skill, technique, creativity and spectacle, providing an enjoyable environment for players and spectators alike.
It also conveys essential values such as fair play, respect, solidarity and tolerance.
If you’re tempted by the beach soccer experience, find out more about local clubs and associations. You can also visit the website of Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), the organization responsible for beach soccer worldwide, to keep up to date with the latest news and results.
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