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The Beautiful GameHow Many Players on a Soccer Field? The Rules are Crystal Clear

How Many Players on a Soccer Field? The Rules are Crystal Clear

Football/Soccer remains the most popular sport in the world and continues to grow amongst the rising younger generation in the US. As a result, more and more casual soccer fans want to know how many players on a soccer field? According to the FIFA laws of the game, a professional soccer (football) match allows a maximum of 22 players on the field at any given time during the match. This includes 11 players per team (10 outfield players and one goalkeeper).

What is a Soccer Field?

The soccer field is the complete space enclosed between goal line to goal line and sideline to sideline. Regardless of the size of the field, each soccer field is defined within those terms when it comes to the rules around how many players can actively participate during a match.

Soccer Pitch Field of Play

Substitutions

Although each team can name 5 to 12 substitutes (depending on the competition), these players must remain off the field while the ball is in play during a match. When a player is substituted, the incoming player must wait for the outgoing player to exit the field completely before coming on. This ensures the maximum number of on field players is maintained.

Red Cards and Injuries

The referee must call off a game if any of the two sides can no longer field at least 7 players (including the goalkeeper). This can be due to:

  1. Players receiving red cards, or
  2. A team forced to take an injured player off the field with no more substitutions available.

 Therefore the minimum number of players on a soccer field during a match is 14. 

Referee shows a red card to soccer player

Penalty Kicks

The only exception to the rule is during a penalty shootout, after the 90 minutes and extra time during a cup match. At this time even though the game is technically active, both teams typically gather together center of the field on the halfway line in solidarity and this includes the all substitutes and coaching staff.

Teams on halfway line during penalty kicks

Referees and other Officials

Besides the on field players, the referee is the only person allowed to be on the field while the ball is in play. However, both linesmen and the fourth official remain off the field during the game.

Although not part of the matchday officials, it is important to also note that medical personnel can only enter the field when the ball is out of play.

Injured soccer player getting treatment from medical staff

Other Formats

The above stipulations apply to the 11-a-side FIFA sanctioned men’s and women’s game. Different age groups (i.e. youth soccer) may not follow the same rules when they play soccer.

Number of Players in Soccer vs Other Sports

Here’s a table showing how many players on a soccer field vs other popular sports:

SportNumber of Players on the FieldReferees/Officials
Soccer11 per team1 referee, 2 assistant referees
Basketball5 per team1-3 referees
American Football11 per team3-7 officials
Baseball9 per team1-4 umpires
Volleyball6 per team1-2 referees
Rugby15 per team1 referee, 2 touch judges
Cricket11 per team2 umpires
Hockey (Field)11 per team2 umpires
Hockey (Ice)6 per team (including goalie)2-4 officials
Lacrosse10 per team (men’s field)1-3 referees

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