Beach Soccer World Cup: History, Rules & Epic Moments
June 26, 2026 5 min readPrediPick
Beach Soccer World Cup: History, Rules & Epic Moments
When we think of the Beach Soccer World Cup, the image that comes to mind is a vibrant spectacle: flying sand, acrobatic goals, and contagious energy. While the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada grabs all the attention of traditional football, there is a parallel universe on the sand that has gifted us some of the most incredible snapshots in sports. Today, we're diving into this fascinating tournament: its origins, its rules, and the moments that made it a legend.
What is the Beach Soccer World Cup?
The (officially the ) is the most important international tournament in this discipline. Organized by FIFA since 2005, it brings together the best national teams on the planet to compete in high-tempo matches on the sand. Forget the traditional 90 minutes; here, the action is compressed into three periods of 12 minutes, with a lighter ball and a smaller pitch, guaranteeing goals and excitement every few seconds.
Modern beach soccer has its roots on the beaches of Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro, where players began playing informal matches in the 1960s. Its popularity grew so much that in 1994, the first professional tournament, the Beach Soccer World Championship, was created, organized by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW). But the real leap in quality came in 2005, when FIFA took the reins and held the first official edition in Copacabana, Brazil. Since then, the tournament has become a classic on the football calendar, with venues ranging from Marseille to Dubai.
The rules that make beach soccer unique
To understand the Beach Soccer World Cup, you first have to understand its rules. It's not football on grass brought down to the sand; it's a sport with its own logic:
Match duration: Three periods of 12 minutes each are played, with a 3-minute break between them. If tied, it goes straight to a 3-minute extra time and, if necessary, penalties. The clock stops for every foul or throw-in, so the effective playing time is very high.
The ball: It is lighter and has less bounce, designed specifically for the sand. This allows for greater control in passes and shots.
Teams: Each team has 5 players on the pitch (4 outfield + 1 goalkeeper), but substitutions are unlimited and can be made at any time, even without stopping play.
Free kicks and fouls: They are taken directly and without a wall, making every free kick near the area almost a guaranteed scoring opportunity. Fouls are accumulated per team in each period; from the third foul onwards in the same period, the opponent takes a direct free kick from the point of the foul or from where the infringement occurred.
Goal kick: The goalkeeper must throw the ball out by hand, after it crosses the goal line. Olympic goals (directly from a goal kick) are relatively common.
The bicycle kick goal: It is an essential part of the sport. Acrobatic plays are not only allowed but encouraged. Seeing a bicycle kick on the sand is one of the tournament's most classic images.
The most epic moments of the tournament
Throughout its history, the Beach Soccer World Cup has given us unforgettable moments. Here are some of the most notable:
1. Brazil's absolute dominance (2006-2017)
Brazil is, without question, the most successful team in history. With titles in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2017, the Brazilians imposed a style based on jogo bonito brought to the sand. Figures like Burú, Jorginho, and Bruno Xavier became legends of the sport. The 2009 final against Switzerland in Dubai (10-3) is considered one of the most brutal displays of talent in the tournament's history.
2. Portugal breaks the mold (2015, 2019)
If Brazil was the giant, Portugal was the one that managed to dethrone it. In 2015, in Espinho (Portugal), the Portuguese beat Tahiti (5-3) in the final, with an inspired Madjer scoring a bicycle kick goal from almost 20 meters. In 2019, they repeated the feat in Paraguay, beating Italy (6-4) in an electrifying match. Portuguese dominance showed that beach soccer is not a monopoly of South Americans.
3. Tahiti: The Cinderella of the sand
One of the most emotional moments was the performance of Tahiti in 2013 and 2015. The Toa Aito (Sea Warriors) reached the final in 2015, losing to Portugal. But their joyful style, traditional dances, and ability to come back from impossible matches made them the crowd's favorite team. Their top scorer, Naea Bennett, is a tournament legend.
4. Dejan Stankovic's bicycle kick goal (2011)
Although it wasn't in a World Cup, the goal by Serbian Dejan Stankovic in the 2011 Beach Soccer Club World Cup is considered one of the best in history: a bicycle kick from the center of the field that went in like a missile. That type of play is the soul of the tournament.
How to watch the Beach Soccer World Cup?
If you're left wanting more, remember you can follow all the information about international tournaments on our blog, where we analyze competitions from around the world. And if you want to try your luck with your predictions, don't hesitate to use our prediction simulator for beach matches.
The future on the sand
The Beach Soccer World Cup continues to evolve. With FIFA increasingly betting on expanding the sport to new regions (Asia and Africa are growing rapidly), the future promises more goals, more bicycle kicks, and more magic. While the 2026 World Cup on solid ground keeps us on edge, beach soccer reminds us that football, on any surface, is pure passion.
What is your best memory of beach soccer? The bicycle kick of a Brazilian, the grit of Tahiti, or the dominance of Portugal? Leave your comment and keep enjoying the beautiful game, on the sand and on the grass.
