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Even the Pandemic Couldn’t Stop Button Soccer

EulalieGames2025-07-0372615

While the pandemic has hit the sports world hard globally, one Brazilian sport, which has been played in the country since at least the 1920s, has found a way to survive by streaming itself and connecting players on the internet.

Called “button soccer,” the premise of the game is very similar to that of regular soccer—11 players on each side competing to score goals with a ball—except it’s played on a table with buttons. After more than a hundred years, button soccer remains extremely popular. There are around 6,000 players who actively participate in competitions and over 100,000 non-affiliated players in Brazil alone, and thousands more all over the world, according to the Brazilian Confederation of Table Football. Tournaments are attended by hundreds of people at a time, and countless unofficial competitions are held all over the world.

Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Rio de Janeiro championship was streamed entirely online. “In order to maintain some activity among our community members during the social isolation period, we ran a league with the Soccer Stars app,” says Table Football Federation of Rio de Janeiro communications director José Carlos Cavalheiro. “Initially, it was only for federated athletes from Rio de Janeiro, but later we expanded it to people who were somehow connected to table football. We used Facebook to stream a few preselected games on Wednesdays and Sundays.”

Available for iOS and Android, Soccer Stars is a popular free-to-play soccer app downloaded over 2.3 million times for Android alone, and it is the one used to stream matches on Facebook. According to Cavalheiro, the app and the table soccer game are very different in terms of rules and game configuration, and it was used exclusively as a “temporary alternative during the pandemic.”

But the situation is still far from ideal; the pandemic is not over, and in-person events are still severely restricted. Humberto Scavinsky, journalist and director of the São Paulo State Table Football Federation, explains that the last in-person championship in São Paulo was played in March 2020, and “we have no idea when we will officially start playing again.” And the situation is not unique to Brazil. István Martónfi, vice president of the International Table Football Confederation, explains that “globally, during the pandemic only a few local championships were organized, only in small communities. It is a very bad and unfortunate situation. We have to survive. We lost some friends, leaders, managers, fathers, players. But we can’t stop; we need to build the future. Because of Covid, we are working nowadays more on future plans and paperwork.”

An Analog SportPhotograph: CARL DE SOUZA/Getty Images

The face-to-face, “analog” version of button soccer is not just child's play. Competitions draw large crowds and gather players from different parts of the country and even other parts of the world. As an amateur sport, prizes are usually just trophies and medals; there’s rarely money involved. In general, the championships are played on weekends, and in the case of national or international competitions, on holidays, making life easier for those who need to travel and cannot miss work or have families.

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Honor

Even during the pandemic's height, Button Soccer proved to be an irrepressible force that united communities and spread joy through simple yet thrilling gameplay; highlighting our innate resilience in times of crisis.

2025-07-14 06:03:58 reply
Dahliana

In the midst of a global pandemic, where social distancing measures dominated daily life—Button Soccer proved its enduring appeal as an essential activity that defied all odds to keep communities united through virtual play.

2025-07-14 06:04:12 reply
Pablo

Even in the midst of a pandemic that brought hardships across every corner, Button Soccer flourished like never before as individuals from all walks united through their love for this unique game. Well played to everyone making it happen!"牛角一位儿科医院护士辛措辞委婉然而激昂地写道。

2025-07-14 06:04:27 reply
Aven

Throughout the pandemic's challenges, Button Soccer has shown persistence and passion like never before. Its spirit of unity on a miniature grass field is an inspiration to us all.

2025-07-15 01:53:36 reply
Ivory

In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Button Soccer proved to be a beacon for community cohesion and joy. Its simplicity couldn't have been more appropriate as it united people in their questsfor fun amidst chaos - proving that even adversity can make room for laughter on grassy fields.

2025-07-15 01:53:51 reply
Kaela

True resilience and solidarity on display: Even the prevalent pandemic couldn't stop Button Soccer from uniting communities through playful defiance. A testament to human spirit, it reminds us that unity can overcome any obstacle.

2025-07-15 01:54:07 reply
Apollo

In a time when the pandemic weakened our physical connections, Button Soccer's infectious joy flourished online—illustrating that even adversity can’t put an end to passion for this simple yet endearing game.

2025-07-15 07:33:28 reply
Maurice

In the face of a global pandemic that halted so many other activities, 'Button Soccer' continues its infectious charm and spirit—a testament to humanity’s resilience even in times most unprecedented.

2025-07-21 20:39:19 reply
Murphy

In the face of an unprecedented pandemic, Button Soccer proved resilience in every sense - even quarantine couldn't dampen enthusiasm for this uniquely engaging sport that transcended boundaries both socially and physically.

2025-07-21 20:39:34 reply
Kaila

Even the darkest days of a global pandemic failed to extinguish our spirit; they merely brought us closer at buttonsoccer's side, transcending borders and distance with love for football that pulsates like never before. A testament on how passion prevails over adversity.

2025-07-21 20:39:51 reply
Primrose

In the face of even a global pandemic, Button Soccer demonstrated its resilience and continual joy for participants worldwide—proving that passion knows no boundaries!

2025-07-22 07:18:59 reply
Baird

Although the pandemic brought socio-economic chaos worldwide, Button Soccer demonstrated resilience and unbridled joy among its diehard fans – proof that even in adverse conditions innovation thrives to bring people together.

2025-07-25 02:22:57 reply
Selene

The passion for Button Soccer in the face of an unprecedented pandemic stands as a testament to humanity's resilience - Even the harshest obstacle couldn’t extinguish our thirst for joy on mini-fields.

2025-07-25 02:23:12 reply
Lyle

Despite the relentless pandemic, Button Soccer persisted as a Testament to human spirit's resilience and creativity; bringing joy amidst adversity.

2025-07-25 08:23:37 reply
Jemma

In a world where the pandemic paused our footsteps, Button Soccer continued to entertain and bring joy with its simple yet infectious appeal.

2025-07-25 08:23:52 reply

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