Footinho replaces counting heads by hand in your WhatsApp group: you create the match, your players reply in one tap, reminders go out automatically and the waitlist fills any drop-outs. This guide takes you from installing the app to your first match, in seven steps.
Footinho is free and ad-free, on iPhone, Android and computer (in your browser). It doesn’t handle booking or paying for the field: you take care of that directly with the facility where you play.
Getting started in seven steps
1. Install the app and turn on notifications
Download Footinho from the App Store or Google Play, then create your account. Allow notifications: that’s how you’ll know who signs up and who drops out, without opening the app.
2. Complete your profile
In “My player profile”, tap “Edit my profile” to set your level (for example “Regular player”), your position and your favorite team, then “My photo” to add your picture. A complete profile helps players who don’t know you join your public matches, and helps you build balanced teams.
3. Add your fields to your favorites
In “Find a field”, search for your facility by name or by city, then tap the star to the left of its name. It’s added to “My favorite fields” on your profile and will be suggested first every time you create a match.
4. Book your time slot with the facility
Footinho doesn’t book the field for you. At a 5v5 facility, book first by phone or on the facility’s website, then create the match. That way your players know the time slot is confirmed.
5. Create your match
Tap “Organize a match” and fill in the location, date, time, duration and number of spots. Then choose a private or public match and turn on the waitlist. Each option is explained in the article “Understanding your options when creating a match”.
6. Invite your players
From the match page, tap “Invite players”. There are two cases:
- Your players are already on Footinho: select them all in your friends or favorites list and confirm. They all get the invitation at the same time.
- They’re not registered yet: share your invitation link or code. The “Share on WhatsApp”, “Share on Messenger”, “Share by text” and “Share by email” buttons send a ready-made message with the practical details, your code and your link. Paste it once in your group: everyone signs up and lands right on your match.
Once your players have signed up, add them as friends. For your next matches, you’ll invite them in a few seconds, without using the code again.
7. Track the replies
Each invited player replies from the match page with “Join this match”, “I can’t make it” or “Maybe”. The players counter shows where you stand (8/10 here), and a banner reminds you how many spots are left. Players who haven’t replied get a reminder email and notification, at the time set in the “Remind players who haven’t replied” option. When the match is full, the next players go on the waitlist and take the spot of the first person who drops out.
The rule that changes everything: keep your WhatsApp group for chatting, but ask your players to reply only on Footinho. As long as replies come in through both places, you’ll keep counting by hand.
On match day and after
Before kickoff, set the lineups in the match’s “LINEUP” tab: each player can see whether they’re on Team 1 or Team 2 before showing up. The “Messages” tab is for last-minute info (someone running late, who’s bringing the ball, the pinnies).
After the match, players vote for the Man of the Match. For 48 hours after the end, anyone can also report a late arrival, a no-show or bad behavior. These reports feed into each player’s reliability, which you can check before inviting someone you don’t know well.
Frequently asked questions
Does Footinho cost anything?
No. The app is free and ad-free, for organizers and players alike.
Does Footinho book the field?
No. You book and pay for the field with the facility. Footinho is there to bring the players together once the time slot is booked.
Do my players need an account?
Yes, a free account, in the app or in a browser. If they use your invitation link, they land right on your match after signing up.
I’m short on players, what can I do?
Make your match public: Footinho players looking for a game will be able to join. You can also allow participants to invite their friends.
A player drops out the day before?
If the waitlist is on, the first player waiting takes their spot automatically. If not, the spot opens up and the match is open to sign-ups again.
My field doesn’t show up in the search?
Contact us from the app with the field’s name and address, and we’ll add it.
Also read: Understanding your options when creating a match
