Recently got asked this during community pickup games, so decided to dig into it properly. Figured knowing the exact time matters when organizing casual matches.
Where I Started
Just assumed futsal halves were shorter than soccer. Thought “maybe 30 minutes each?” But kept it vague when folks asked. Felt kinda sloppy not having the real numbers.
The Research Stage
First checked FIFA’s official rules—they got PDFs online. Scrolled down the “Laws of the Game” section… and whoops. FIFA states 20 minutes per half. Standard adult match total is 40 minutes.
Took notes:
- Two halves (like outdoor)
- Clock stops during time-outs or delays
- Halftime usually max 15 mins
But my local league felt different! Remembered games running longer sometimes.
Real World Checks
Called up Mark who runs our city league. He laughed. “If we actually played exactly 20 mins, players would riot!” Turns out:
- Their halves run 25 minutes
- Clock only stops for serious injuries
- Added 1-minute “water breaks” in summer
Got curious—checked Amateur Futsal Association guidelines. Flexibility was key:
- Youth matches: Often 15-min halves
- Over-40 leagues: 20-22 mins max
- Tournaments: Sometimes 15-min halves to fit schedules
My Own Messy Experience
Tried timing halves accurately last Thursday. Problems piled up:
- Ref forgot to stop clock when João kicked ball onto roof (5 min delay!)
- Team argued penalty call for 3 mins
- First half ended at 28 minutes actual play 🤦♂️
Conclusion: Official rule = 20 mins per half IF clock pauses properly. Reality? Pure chaos. Now when asked, I say:
- “FIFA says 20 mins”
- “Your league probably adds time”
- “Bring a stopwatch if you wanna be strict”
Actually printed the FIFA rule page for league captain. He just shrugged and said “Yeah but my watch died last game”. Perfection achieved.
