Section 1: Introduction
Beach Soccer is a five-a-side variant of association football played on a sand pitch, governed worldwide by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). Unlike the 11-a-side game, whose Laws are written by IFAB, beach soccer has its own dedicated rulebook, the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game, approved directly by the FIFA Council. The current edition, the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game 2025-26, was approved by the FIFA Council and took effect on 17 December 2025. FIFA publishes the Laws in English, Arabic, French and Spanish; where any divergence in wording exists between translations, the English text is authoritative.
The sport is distinguished from its 11-a-side cousin by several fundamental characteristics: matches are played in three periods rather than two halves, there is no offside law, matches cannot end in a draw, and play is barefoot on a level sand surface. FIFA organizes the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup as its flagship international competition, alongside confederation championships administered under the same Laws.
Per the notes accompanying the Laws, national football associations, confederations and FIFA retain limited flexibility to modify certain organisational aspects of the game (e.g. pitch size, ball specification, goal dimensions, and period duration) specifically for youth, veterans', disability and grassroots beach soccer, but no other modifications to the Laws are permitted without FIFA's permission.
Section 2: Equipment
The Ball (Law 2, Section 1). The ball must be spherical, made of suitable material, with a circumference of between 68cm and 70cm, a weight of between 400g and 440g at the start of the match, and a pressure equal to 0.4-0.6 atm (400-600g/cm² at sea level). All balls used in official FIFA or confederation competitions must bear one of the marks of the FIFA Quality Programme for Footballs. No commercial advertising is permitted on the ball in official competitions, other than the competition/organiser logo and the authorised manufacturer's trademark (Law 2, Section 2).
Compulsory Player Equipment (Law 4, Section 2). Every player's compulsory equipment consists of a shirt with sleeves and shorts, which may not be rolled up and must be in keeping with the professional appearance of the player's equipment. The team captain must wear an armband issued or authorised by the competition organiser (Law 3, Section 14).
Colours (Law 4, Section 3). The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and from the match officials. Each goalkeeper must wear colours distinguishable from outfield players and officials; if both goalkeepers' shirts are the same colour and neither has an alternate to change into, the referees allow the match to proceed regardless. Undershirts and undershorts/tights, where worn, must match the primary colour of the shirt sleeve or shorts respectively.
Footwear (Law 4, Section 4). Footwear is not permitted; beach soccer is played barefoot. Elastic foot bindings are permitted provided they do not fully cover the heels or toes.
Optional/Permitted Equipment (Law 4, Section 4). Non-dangerous protective equipment — gloves, headgear, facemasks, and knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight padded material — is permitted but not compulsory, as are goalkeepers' caps and sports spectacles. Goalkeepers may wear trousers. A bib in a colour different to both teams' shirts must be worn by substitutes seated on the bench to identify them.
Numbering (Law 4, Section 7). Each player's number must be visible on the back of the shirt and distinguishable from the shirt's main colour; numbering is normally from 1 to 15, with number 1 reserved for a goalkeeper.
Safety and Jewellery (Law 4, Section 1). A player must not use or wear anything dangerous. All jewellery — necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather and rubber bands, etc. — is forbidden and must be removed; taping over jewellery is not an acceptable substitute for removal.
Section 3: Playing Area
Surface (Law 1, Section 1). The playing surface is composed of sand and must be level, free of pebbles, shells or any other object that could injure players, match officials or any other person. For international competitions, the sand must be fine, sifted until suitable for play, and at least 40cm deep — though not so fine that it produces dust that sticks to the skin.
Dimensions (Law 1, Section 3). The pitch is rectangular. The touchlines (length) must measure between 35m and 37m, and the goal lines (width) between 26m and 28m; competition rules set the exact length and width within these ranges. All boundary lines are continuous (broken lines are not permitted) and 10cm wide, made of coloured, flexible, hard-wearing tape anchored to the sand.
Penalty Area (Law 1, Section 4). The penalty area is bounded by the goal line and an imaginary line parallel to it, 9m from the goal line, marked by two yellow flags placed outside the pitch next to each touchline. The imaginary penalty mark sits at the centre of this imaginary penalty-area line.
Goals (Law 1, Section 9). A goal is centred on each goal line, consisting of two upright posts joined by a horizontal crossbar. The inside distance between the posts is 5.5m, and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.2m. Posts and crossbar must be square, rectangular, round, elliptical, or a hybrid of these shapes, of the same dimensions (10cm width and depth) as the goal lines, and preferably yellow. Goals must be firmly secured to the ground.
Substitution Zone (Law 1, Section 5). Located on the touchline in front of the timekeeper's table, the substitution zone is 7m long, extending 3.5m to each side of the halfway line/touchline intersection; team benches sit beyond the touchline and this zone.
Corner Area and Flagposts (Law 1, Sections 6-7). The corner area is an imaginary quarter-circle with a 1m radius from each corner. Ten flagposts (at least 1.5m high, non-pointed) mark the pitch: one red flag at each corner, one red flag at each end of the imaginary halfway line, and one yellow flag at each end of the imaginary penalty-area lines.
Technical Area (Law 1, Section 8). A designated seating area is reserved for team officials and substitutes, extending 1m either side of and forward of the seating area; only one occupant at a time may stand to convey tactical instructions.
Section 4: Players & Officials
Number of Players (Law 3, Section 1). A match is played by two teams of a maximum of five players each, one of whom must be the goalkeeper. A match may not start or resume if either team has fewer than three players.
Substitutions (Law 3, Section 2). An unlimited number of substitutions may be made during a match, at any time, whether the ball is in play or not. In official competitions organised under the auspices of FIFA, confederations or member associations, a maximum of seven substitutes may be used; in unofficial national "A" team matches, up to ten; in all other matches, a higher number is allowed only by agreement of both teams and notice to the referees.
Substitution Procedure (Law 3, Section 4). Substitutions occur through the substitution zone: the player being replaced leaves via the zone without needing referee permission, and the substitute may enter only after that player has left. The substitution is complete once the substitute fully enters the pitch through the zone.
Team Captain (Law 3, Section 14). Each team must name a captain who wears an identifying armband; the captain carries a degree of responsibility for the team's conduct but no special privileges under the Laws.
The Referees (Law 5). Matches are controlled by two referees with equal authority, whose decisions on facts connected with play are final. Referees have full authority to enforce the Laws from their pre-match pitch inspection until they leave the pitch after the match, including any penalty shoot-out.
Other Match Officials (Law 6). Matches are supported by assistant referees and, in official competitions, a fourth referee; international matches under FIFA/confederation auspices additionally use a Time Review System (TRS) and, where available, video support to assist the referees' decision-making.
Section 5: Rules of Play
Duration (Law 7, Section 1). A match lasts three equal periods of 12 minutes of playing time, separated by breaks not exceeding three minutes (Law 7, Section 4), which may be reduced only if permitted by competition rules. The chronometer stops for goals, fouls and injuries, and the timekeeper signals the end of each period with a distinct acoustic signal.
No Offside (Law 11). There is no offside law in beach soccer.
Goalkeeper Handling (Law 12, Section 2a). A goalkeeper who controls the ball with the hands, arms or feet in their own half of the pitch for more than four seconds concedes a free kick to be taken from the centre of the pitch (or a penalty kick if committed inside the goalkeeper's own penalty area), with no disciplinary sanction. The same four-second restriction applies to a goalkeeper who has released the ball and, without an intervening touch by an opponent or restart, handles it again.
Handball (Law 12, Section 1). The upper boundary of the arm, for handball purposes, is in line with the bottom of the armpit. It is an offence for a player to deliberately touch the ball with the hand/arm, or to touch it with a hand/arm that has made the body unnaturally bigger. A goal cannot be scored directly from a player's hand or arm, or immediately after the ball has touched a player's hand or arm, even if accidental.
Scissors and Overhead Kicks (Law 12, Section 1). Scissors kicks and overhead kicks are treated as an inherent part of the game and the players performing them must be protected; an opponent who unlawfully prevents a player in possession from executing such a kick concedes a free kick or penalty kick.
Dangerous Play, Impeding, and Blocking (Law 12, Section 2a). Playing in a dangerous manner is any action that, while trying to play the ball, threatens injury to anyone, including the player themselves. Impeding without contact means moving into an opponent's path to obstruct, block, slow or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player; a stationary block that does not initiate contact is a legitimate tactic.
Section 6: Scoring
Goal Scored (Law 10, Section 1). A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the imaginary goal line, between the posts and under the crossbar, provided no offence was committed by the scoring team. If the goalkeeper throws the ball directly into the opponents' goal, a goal clearance is awarded instead of a goal.
Winning Team (Law 10, Section 2). The team scoring more goals wins. A beach soccer match cannot end in a draw. Where competition rules require a winner, the only permitted procedures are the away-goals rule, one period of extra time not exceeding three minutes, and/or penalties (a penalty shoot-out) — used singly or in combination. In league play, a win at the end of the third period earns three points, a win after extra time earns two points, and a win via penalty shoot-out earns one point.
Penalty Shoot-Out (Law 10, Section 3). Taken after the match ends and not considered part of the match itself, both teams take five kicks, alternating, each by a different eligible kicker until all eligible players/substitutes have kicked once; if a winner is not decided after five kicks each, kicks continue in sudden-death rounds of one kick per team until one team has scored one more goal than the other from the same number of kicks. A player sent off during the match may not take part.
Away Goals (Law 10, Section 4). Competition rules may provide that, in home-and-away ties, goals scored on the opponent's pitch count double if the aggregate score is level after the second match.
Section 7: Violations & Penalties
Free Kick Offences (Law 12, Section 1). A free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following against an opponent carelessly, recklessly, or with excessive force: charging, jumping at, kicking or attempting to kick, pushing, striking or attempting to strike (including head-butting), tackling or challenging, or tripping. A free kick is also awarded for a handball offence, holding an opponent, unlawfully preventing a scissors/overhead kick, impeding with contact, biting, spitting at or deliberately throwing sand at anyone, or throwing/kicking an object at the ball, an opponent or a match official.
No Wall (Law 13, Sections 1-2). There are two types of free kick — one taken in the opposing team's half, one taken from the kicking team's own half or the centre of the pitch. Critically, players may not form a wall. The kick must be taken within four seconds of the referee's signal, clearly shown by the referee's four-second count.
Positioning at Free Kicks (Law 13, Section 3). For a free kick taken in the team's own half or from the centre of the pitch, every opposing player must be on the pitch and at least 5m from the ball until it is in play. For a free kick in the opposing team's half, the same 5m minimum distance applies to defending players.
Cautionable Offences (Law 12, Section 4). A player is cautioned (yellow card) for offences including delaying the restart of play, dissent by word or action, entering/leaving the pitch without permission, failing to respect the required distance at a restart, persistent offences, and unsporting behaviour (including simulation, reckless free-kick offences, and unauthorised marks on the pitch).
Sending-Off Offences (Law 12, Section 4). A player or substitute is sent off (red card) for: denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO) by handball or by an offence punishable by free kick/penalty kick; serious foul play; biting, spitting at or deliberately throwing sand at someone; violent conduct; using offensive, insulting or abusive language or action(s); or receiving a second caution in the same match. Serious foul play is a tackle or challenge that endangers an opponent's safety or uses excessive force or brutality.
The Penalty Kick (Law 14, Section 1). A penalty kick is awarded for a free-kick offence committed by a player inside their own penalty area. The ball is placed on the imaginary penalty mark; the defending goalkeeper must remain on the goal line, facing the kicker, between the posts, until the ball is kicked, and must have at least part of one foot on or behind the goal line at the moment of the kick. All other players must be at least 5m from the penalty mark and outside the penalty area. The kick must be taken forwards (back-heeling is permitted provided the ball moves forward); the kicker may not play the ball again until it has touched another player.
Section 8: Safety Considerations
Surface Safety (Law 1, Section 1). The sand surface must not be rough and must be kept free of pebbles, shells or any object that could injure players, match officials or any other person. For international competitions the sand must be fine and at least 40cm deep, sifted for suitability, while avoiding excessive dust that sticks to the skin.
Jewellery and Dangerous Equipment (Law 4, Section 1). A player must not use or wear anything dangerous. All jewellery is forbidden and must be removed before play; taping over jewellery does not satisfy the requirement. Players inspected before the match and found in violation must remove the item or leave the pitch at the next stoppage, and a player who refuses or re-offends is cautioned.
Protective Equipment (Law 4, Section 4). Non-dangerous protective items — soft, lightweight padded gloves, headgear, facemasks, and knee/arm protectors — are explicitly permitted (though not compulsory) to support player safety without being ruled dangerous equipment.
Protection During Scissors/Overhead Kicks (Law 12, Section 1). Because scissors kicks and overhead kicks are an inherent, high-risk part of beach soccer, the Laws specifically require referees to protect both the player executing such a kick and any nearby opponents, sanctioning unlawful interference while recognising that a defender who does not turn their body or move toward the kicker, or who makes accidental contact, has not committed an offence.
Goal Safety (Law 1, Section 9). Goalposts and crossbars must be made of approved, non-dangerous material, and goals must be firmly secured to the ground. If a crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play stops until it is repaired or replaced; if it cannot be repaired, the match must be abandoned.
Spectator Barriers (Law 1, Section 4/Safety note). Competition rules must specify a minimum distance between the pitch boundary lines and spectator barriers (including those bearing advertising) sufficient to ensure the safety of all participants.
