France Unveils Ambitious 2025–2028 Futsal Growth Plan

A roadmap to double players, expand elite structures, and prepare for potential Olympic inclusion by 2032

The French Football Federation (FFF) has revealed a bold new three-year strategy to continue the rapid growth and structuring of futsal in France. Unveiled on Thursday, January 15, the plan builds on the success of the previous triennium and sets ambitious targets through 2028.

(Main picture and article source: French Football Federation – FFF)

With the Euro Futsal 2026 kicking off from January 21 to February 7 across Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia, the timing underscores the FFF’s commitment to nurturing both participation and elite performance.

A Vision for the Future

In the presence of French Futsal Team coach Raphaël Reynaud, whose squad played its final preparatory match against Belgium at Paris’s Pierre-de-Coubertin arena, and Cédric Bettremieux, responsible for Futsal within the FFF Executive Committee and president of the Hauts-de-France League, FFF President Philippe Diallo outlined the Federation’s priorities:

“Futsal is one of the federation’s priorities. It’s a different form of football, a practice that appeals to a large portion of our youth, an indoor sport that is spectacular, very dynamic, and high-scoring. It is also the most practiced sport in our schools, with nearly 200,000 UNSS participants,” Diallo said.

He added that the first plan had successfully generated momentum, highlighted by the French team reaching the semi-finals in its first participation at the 2024 Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan. The new plan aims to consolidate these gains and continue structured growth, with the goal of doubling licensed players by 2032.

Key Futsal Figures in 2026

• 50,000 – Number of licensed players (doubled in four years)

• 12% – Female participation (300 women’s sections out of 1,500 clubs/sections)

• 50% – Players under 18

• 200,000 – UNSS school participants, including 50,000 girls

Quantitative Goals Through 2028

• €8 million – Budget allocated for the first phase, with a target of €10 million annually by 2028–2029

• 2,500 – Futsal clubs or sections, 80% engaged in the “club project,” 150 officially labeled

• 100% – Coverage of senior women’s, men’s, and U18 boys’ championships in all leagues

• 100,000 – Licensed players by 2032, including 10,000 females and 60% under 18

Coach Raphaël Reynaud emphasized the long-term vision:

“Through the creation of a second Pôle France, training centers for national teams, and improved support for elite clubs, the plan aims to ensure we are ready and competitive if futsal is introduced to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Being prepared to win a medal requires structural reforms and advancements. Our World Cup semi-final was a tremendous spotlight on futsal. I also want to acknowledge the president’s vision, which he has supported from the start — he was present at my first match in Carpentier in 2021!”

Five Strategic Objectives

1. Facilitate Access to Futsal for All

• Program “Futsal Aces” to create pathways between school and club participation

2. Enable National Teams to Excel Internationally

• Second Pôle France for boys by 2028 and four university training centers for girls

3. Strengthen Elite Club Support

• New Women’s Futsal Championship and U19 Futsal Championship starting 2026, plus consolidation of the Futsal Club License

4. Increase Media and Sponsor Appeal

• Financing a media channel to broadcast D1 Futsal matches

5. Provide Resources to Regions

• Creation of Futsal Technical Advisor positions and support programs for regional leagues to promote futsal across all territories

Futsal and Football: Complementary Paths

The plan emphasizes that futsal and eleven-a-side football are not in competition but complement each other.

“There is real complementarity between the two practices, and we see their development as mutually reinforcing,” said Philippe Diallo. “We envision dual training for young players to improve overall player development, while also supporting those who want to specialize exclusively in futsal. Futsal’s popularity among youth continues to grow, and both paths should be pursued.”

With a clear structure, ambitious targets, and a long-term vision toward elite performance and Olympic readiness, the FFF’s new futsal plan sets a blueprint for other federations to follow.

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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