Central Florida Crusaders Joining World Futsal League

ORLANDO, FL – The Central Florida Crusaders is pleased to announce its membership in the World Futsal League (WFL) and its intention to compete in the inaugural season, scheduled to kick off this summer. The team will supplement its National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) schedule which runs from December – April, annually, with its participation in this new league.

Focused on broadening the adoption and appreciation of futsal in the US, the WFL will be a professional futsal league that will operate both a Men’s and Women’s Division, hosting “doubleheaders” on each gameday at the respective arenas in each market.

The WFL is founded by a group of experienced sports executives who have owned and operated professional sports teams and leagues for over 45 years. This new endeavor will provide an additional professional opportunity for female futsal/soccer players especially, while providing a fast-paced and fun experience for our fans, even those not currently familiar with the sport.

Futsal, created in South America in the early 20th century, gets its name from the Spanish and Portuguese words for “indoor soccer” but differs from the traditional indoor soccer experience in many ways. Futsal is played on a hard court, without boards or walls, and features a smaller and heavier soccer ball that allows for high skill development and an even faster and more intense game than traditional indoor soccer.

“This is very exciting and a great next step for our team and its fans. Futsal is heavily incorporated in indoor soccer, so I know our players will be as eager to play this summer as I will be to coach them. Having a futsal league that we compete in will also allow our fans an almost year-round experience with our team and its players and it will expose them to a very exciting sport,” said Crusaders Head Coach, Tom Traxler.

The WFL already has commitments from three other teams for the inaugural season: Memphis Americans, Fayetteville Fury (NC) and Tampa Bay Strikers. Expansion opportunities are available and interested parties can visit worldfutsalleague.com for more information.

ABOUT THE CENTRAL FLORIDA CRUSADERS: The Central Florida Crusaders is a professional indoor soccer franchise with a men’s team and a women’s team competing in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) as an expansion team for the 2022-2023 season. The team makes its home at Additional Financial Arena in Orlando, FL on the campus of UCF. The franchise will also field teams in the inaugural season of the World Futsal League (WFL) in the summer of 2023. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit centralfloridacrusaders.com

ABOUT WORLD FUTSAL LEAGUE (WFL): The World Futsal League was founded in September 2022 by a group of seasoned sports team/league owners with over 45 years of ownership experience. The league features both a Men's & Women's Division, competing in double header game days over a 12-game regular season that takes place between the months of June and August, annually. The inaugural season will kick off in June of 2023. Current teams include Central FL Crusaders (Orlando), Fayetteville Fury, Memphis Americans, and Tampa Bay Strikers. The WFL is committed to promoting and developing futsal at all levels, while providing an avenue for players, coaches, and front office staff to develop their skills and gain exposure for opportunities at higher levels, all while providing high quality, affordable entertainment in the communities we serve. For more information, go to worldfutsalleague.com.