FC Porto Launches Historic Senior Men’s Futsal Project and Enters Portugal’s Third Division

FC Porto has officially launched its first-ever senior men’s futsal team, marking a significant milestone in the club’s sporting history. After years of operating youth futsal teams, the Dragons will enter the Campeonato Nacional da Terceira Divisão de Futsal for the 2026/27 season, taking advantage of a new Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) regulation that allows qualifying clubs to join the national futsal pyramid directly.

(Main picture: One of the most eye-catching aspects of the new team is the involvement of futsal legend, Cardinal, source of the picture FC Porto website)

A New Chapter for FC Porto

The project was first publicly revealed by FC Porto president André Villas-Boas during the ECO Festival in Lisbon on 27 May 2026. Speaking at the event, Villas-Boas explained that the club had been working on the futsal project gradually and was exploring a regulatory pathway that would allow the club to enter the national leagues.

Shortly afterwards, on 4 June 2026, FC Porto officially confirmed the creation of a senior futsal team and announced plans to register it in the Portuguese Third Division. The move makes futsal the latest addition to the club’s growing multi-sport portfolio under the current administration.

Why FC Porto Can Enter Directly Into the Third Division

The club’s entry has been made possible by a change to FPF regulations. Under the new rules, up to three clubs from the top 20 Portuguese professional football rankings can enter the national futsal structure directly, provided they do not already operate a senior futsal team and meet the required participation criteria. FC Porto qualifies under these provisions.

Without this rule change, FC Porto would likely have been required to begin at district level and work its way through several tiers of competition before reaching the national divisions.

André Pereira Named First Head Coach

On 15 July 2026, FC Porto announced André Pereira as the first head coach of the senior futsal team. The 29-year-old previously served as the club’s futsal development coordinator and guided FC Porto’s Under-19 side to a regional championship with a perfect record of 18 victories in 18 matches.

Before joining FC Porto’s academy structure, Pereira worked with ADCR Caxinas and SC Arcozelo, gaining experience at youth and senior levels.

His coaching staff consists of:

• Israel Alves (Assistant Coach)
• Rui Cunha (Assistant Coach)
• Sandro Barradas (Goalkeeping Coach)
• João Moreira (Fitness Coach)
• Dino Veloso (Analyst)

Speaking after his appointment, Pereira described the role as “a great privilege” and revealed that the project had been in development for approximately two years. He emphasised that the ambition extends beyond competing in the Third Division, with a long-term goal of creating a pathway from youth futsal into the senior team.

The First Senior Squad

FC Porto’s inaugural senior futsal squad began pre-season training at the Dragão Arena on 11 August 2026, with 16 players available for the first session.

Goalkeepers

• Tiago Velho
• Mateus Jesus
• Leandro Costa

Fixos (Defenders)

• Óscar Santos
• Leandro Cardoso

Alas (Wingers)

• João Fonte
• Samuel Silva
• Luís Paulo
• Tiaguinho
• Tiago Correia
• Leandro Silva
• Sévio Marcelo
• Rafael Lara
• David Rodrigues

Pivots

• Cardinal
• Ricardo Costa

It is important to note that FC Porto’s official announcement stated that 16 players reported for the start of pre-season, rather than explicitly describing all 16 as new signings.

Cardinal Headlines the Project

One of the most eye-catching aspects of the new team is the involvement of Cardinal, one of the most recognisable figures in Portuguese futsal history. FC Porto confirmed the veteran pivot’s return to competitive futsal and appointed him captain of the new senior side.

His presence provides immediate leadership and experience to a squad that combines younger players with established futsal talent.

More Than Just a Team

Villas-Boas has presented the futsal initiative as part of a wider expansion of FC Porto’s sporting activities. During his presidency, the club has also introduced women’s football and wheelchair basketball, while simultaneously investing in additional sporting infrastructure.

The president also linked the futsal project to plans for a new sports pavilion in Porto, highlighting the club’s commitment to expanding participation opportunities and strengthening its multi-sport identity.

Potential Impact on Portuguese Futsal

FC Porto’s arrival in senior men’s futsal is significant not only because it marks the beginning of a new sporting project, but also because it has the potential to alter the competitive and commercial landscape of the sport in Portugal.

For much of the modern era, Portuguese futsal has been dominated by Sporting CP and Benfica, while SC Braga has emerged as a major force in recent years. These clubs have regularly contested domestic titles and represented Portugal in European competition, establishing themselves as the sport’s principal powerhouses.

The arrival of FC Porto introduces another of Portugal’s biggest sporting institutions into the futsal pyramid. As one of the country’s most successful and widely supported clubs, Porto brings additional visibility, commercial value and public interest to the competition. Although the club will begin its journey in the Third Division, the strength of the FC Porto brand ensures that the project will attract national attention from supporters, sponsors and media outlets from the outset.

The move also aligns with André Villas-Boas’ vision of expanding FC Porto’s sporting footprint and increasing the club’s presence across multiple disciplines. Following the launch of women’s football and wheelchair basketball, the addition of senior futsal represents another major step in that strategy.

Should FC Porto achieve promotion in the coming seasons, Portuguese futsal could eventually benefit from the presence of the country’s three largest football clubs competing regularly at the highest level. Such a scenario could drive greater attendance, increased media coverage, stronger sponsorship opportunities and enhanced commercial appeal for the sport as a whole, particularly across northern Portugal where FC Porto commands a substantial fan base. This assessment reflects the likely impact of FC Porto’s entry rather than an official position of the club.

The Road Ahead

FC Porto will begin life in the 2026/27 Campeonato Nacional da Terceira Divisão, a competition featuring 50 clubs divided into three mainland geographical groups of 14 teams plus an eight-team Azores section. Group winners secure automatic promotion, while additional promotion places are decided through play-offs.

Although the club’s immediate focus is on establishing itself in the Third Division, the comments from both Villas-Boas and Pereira make it clear that FC Porto’s futsal project has been designed as a long-term venture. The objective is not simply to participate, but to build a sustainable structure capable of developing players, competing at higher levels and eventually establishing FC Porto as a significant force in Portuguese futsal.

Looking ahead

FC Porto’s entry into senior men’s futsal is one of the most significant developments in Portuguese futsal in recent years. Backed by a new regulatory pathway, an ambitious long-term strategy, a dedicated coaching structure and a squad led by veteran captain Cardinal, the club is laying the foundations for what it hopes will become a major force within the sport.

While the journey begins in the Third Division, the wider implications extend far beyond one season or one league. The arrival of FC Porto introduces a new heavyweight into a landscape traditionally dominated by Sporting CP, Benfica and Braga, creating the potential for increased visibility, greater investment and a fresh chapter in the growth of Portuguese futsal.

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

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