This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-Caf
The first edition of the African Cup of Futsal Women’s Nations will be held in Morocco from April 22 to 30. This competition will serve as a qualifying tournament for the first FUTA Futsal Women’s World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines from November 21 to December 7, 2025. The two finalists of the event will win their ticket to represent Africa during this Women’s World Cup.
Futsal rules
Teams
Each team consists of five players on the field (four field players and a goalkeeper). Each nation has 14 players, all eligible for each meeting (except in the event of suspension). Five of them start the game, while the other nine are on the bench.
Replacement
The replacements are unlimited and can take place at any time, provided that the outgoing player has completely left the ground before the entrance to her replacement in the dedicated area. Several changes can be made simultaneously.
Match duration
A match takes place in two periods of 20 minutes of effective time. The chronometer stops as soon as the ball comes out of the field or during the dead time (one per team and half-time, lasting 60 seconds). In the event of equality, extensions of 2 × 5 actual minutes are disputed, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary. No dead time is authorized during extra time.
Arbitration
Three referees are offering each match: one on each sidelines and a third in charge of the chronometer, faults and dead time. They communicate with each other by gestural signals.
Faults
The free kicks and penalties follow the rules of classical football. However, after five faults committed by a team in the same half, the opponent has a free kick without walls from the second point of repair, located 10 meters from the goal (four meters further than the first). If the fault is committed at a lower distance, the free kick is executed at the place of the offense. At halftime, the fault counter is reset, but those committed in the second period are taken into account for possible extensions.
Cards
A player is excluded after two warnings (yellow cards) or a direct red card. She cannot continue the meeting. After an expulsion, the team concerned evolves in numerical inferiority for two minutes. If she collects a goal during this period, she can reintegrate a player before the end of the two minutes.
Suspensions
An expelled player is automatically suspended for the next match. The yellow cards not followed by an exclusion are canceled before the quarter -finals. However, a player who received two warnings during two separate games is suspended for the next match.
Flying guard
A field player can replace the goalkeeper at any time, provided you wear a specific jersey with his own number. All the flying guards of the same team must have an identical color outfit, distinct from that of other players and the goalkeeper.
Penalty area
The players have the right to enter the penalty area and the goalkeeper can get out of it. However, after a release, the latter cannot replay the ball before it has crossed the midline or was affected by an opponent. All the guardian’s reminders must be carried out by hand.
Re -entry
When the ball crosses a key line or touches the ceiling, the game resumes with a start -up. It is forbidden to score a goal directly on this game phase.
4 -second rule
For each start of the sidelines, free kick, clearance of the goalkeeper or corner, the ball must be played within four seconds. The referee performs a gestural countdown. Likewise, the goalkeeper has only four seconds to restart the ball in her own half of the field.
