How Many Players Are On The Field Per Team? Soccer Rules Explained

Are you a soccer enthusiast? Do you want to know the ins and outs of how the game is played? If so, then this article is for you! We’re going to take a look at one of the most basic elements of soccer: how many players are on the field per team. From there we’ll delve deeper into some other rules that govern this exciting sport. So let’s get started!

In soccer, each team has 11 players on the field at one time. One of those players is a goalkeeper and the other 10 are outfield players. This means there are a total of 22 players on the field when the game starts. The objective of the game is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team’s goal while defending your own goal from being scored upon. Substitutions are allowed during breaks in play with a maximum of five substitutions per match for each team.

Soccer Team Sizes by Age Group

The number of soccer players per team can vary depending on the age group of the players. For young children, it is common for there to be fewer players on the field. This is because younger children may have a harder time understanding and following the rules of the game, and smaller teams allow for more individual attention and development.

For example, in the Under 6 (U6) age group, it is common for there to be 3-4 players per team on the field. This allows for a more controlled and less chaotic game, as young children may have a harder time following the ball and staying in position.

In the Under 8 (U8) age group, the number of players per team usually increases to 4-6 players. This allows for a slightly larger and more competitive game, while still keeping the focus on player development.

In the Under 10 (U10) age group, the number of players per team increases to 6-7 players. This allows for a more full-sized game, with the added challenge of playing with and against more players on the field.

For players over the age of 12, the number of players per team is typically set at 11 players, as per the standard rules of soccer. This allows for a full-sized and competitive game, with all the positions and rules of a traditional soccer match.

Here is a breakdown of the number of players per team for different age groups:

Age GroupNumber of Players Per Team
Under 6 (U6)3-4 players
Under 8 (U8)4-6 players
Under 10 (U10)6-7 players
Over 1211 players

It is important to note that these numbers are just general guidelines and can vary depending on the specific league or organization.

Some leagues may have different rules or recommendations for the number of players per team based on their own goals and priorities. However, these numbers provide a good starting point for understanding the number of players per team for different age groups.

What is the Minimum Number of Players Allowed on a Soccer Team?

In soccer, each team is allowed to have a minimum of seven players on the field at any given time, including the goalkeeper. This means that a team can technically play a game with just seven players, although it is highly uncommon and not advisable due to the physical demands of the sport.

In a typical game, teams will have eleven players on the field, with substitutes available to be used as needed. The number of substitutes that a team is allowed to use varies depending on the level of play and the specific rules of the competition.

For example, in professional leagues such as the English Premier League, teams are allowed to use up to three substitutes per game. In international tournaments such as the World Cup, teams are allowed to use up to six substitutes per game.

It is important to note that while a team may have more than eleven players on their roster, only eleven players are allowed on the field at any given time. If a team has more than eleven players on the field, they will be assessed a penalty for having too many players on the field.

Soccer Substitution Rules

In soccer, substitutions are the act of replacing a player on the field with a player who is not currently on the field. The number of substitutions allowed per team varies depending on the age group of the players and the level of the competition.

For youth soccer, the number of substitutions allowed generally increases with the age of the players. For example, in the Under 6 (U6) age group, there are typically 4 substitutions allowed.

In the Under 8 (U8) age group, teams are allowed to make unlimited substitutions, with the exception of the goalkeeper. In the Under 10 (U10) age group, teams are allowed to make up to three substitutions per game. And for players over the age of 12, teams are typically allowed to make up to three substitutions per game.

Here is a summary of the number of substitutions allowed for different age groups:

Age GroupNumber of Substitutions
U64
U8Unlimited (except for goalkeeper)
U107
Over 125

It’s important to note that these are general guidelines and the number of substitutions allowed may vary depending on the specific league or tournament. For example, some tournaments may allow for more substitutions in order to give more playing time to all players on the team.

In professional soccer, the number of substitutions allowed is generally three per game. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In the FIFA World Cup, teams are allowed to make up to four substitutions per game.

In extra time (overtime) in the FIFA World Cup, teams are allowed to make an additional substitution. And in some tournaments, such as the AFC Champions League, teams are allowed to make four substitutions per game.

Soccer Substitution Rules for Different Competitions

CompetitionSubstitutions
Major League Soccer7
English Premier League7
La Liga7
UEFA Champions League /EL7 *12
UEFA Europa League7 *12
World Cup12

The number of players per squad for each league can vary greatly. In the MLS, teams are allowed to have a maximum of 28 players on their roster, but only 18 can be active for each game.

In the Premier League, teams are allowed to have a maximum of 25 players on their roster, but only 18 can be active for each game. In La Liga, teams are allowed to have a maximum of 25 players on their roster, but only 18 can be active for each game.

The UEFA Champions League follows the same rules as the Premier League and La Liga, with a maximum of 25 players on the roster and 18 active players for each game. The World Cup follows similar rules, with a maximum of 23 players on the roster and 18 active players for each game.

The UEFA Europa League also follows the same rules as the Premier League and La Liga, with a maximum of 25 players on the roster and 18 active players for each game. Finally, the Bundesliga allows for a maximum of 26 players on the roster and 18 active players for each game.

Here is a breakdown of the number of players per squad for each league:

LeagueMaximum Players on the RosterActive Players Per Game
MLS2818
Premier League2518
La Liga2518
UEFA Champions League2518
World Cup2318
UEFA Europa League2518
Bundesliga2618

How To Substitute A Soccer Player?

Substituting a soccer player can be a crucial part of a team’s strategy during a match. The rules for substituting a player are relatively simple, but it’s important to understand how and when it can be done.

First, it’s important to know that each team is allowed to make up to three substitutions per match. This means that a team can bring in three new players at any point during the game, either all at once or at different times.

To make a substitution, the player being replaced must leave the field of play, and the substitute must enter through the designated substitution area, which is located near the halfway line.

The substitute must be wearing the same colored jersey as the rest of their team, and they cannot enter the field until the player they are replacing has completely left the field.

There are also rules regarding when substitutions can be made. Substitutions can be made at any time during the game, with the exception of during a penalty kick or a throw-in.

However, the referee must be notified before a substitution can take place, and they have the final say on whether or not the substitution can be made. It’s important to note that substitutions can also be made in extra time, but only if both teams agree to it.

In addition to these rules, there are also specific situations in which a team may be required to make a substitution. For example, if a player is injured and cannot continue playing, the team must substitute them from the game.

The same is true if a player is shown a red card and is dismissed from the game. In these situations, the team will be required to play with one less player for the remainder of the game.

Manuel Esposito

Hello everyone! My name is Manuel and I've recently got my PhD in Sport and Excercise Science at the University of Portsmouth. I'm raised and born in New York, and I've been a big fan of soccer my whole life. Soccer is the reason why I got my PhD in Sport and Excercise Science, and my goal with this blog is to help you improve your soccer techniques, strategies, and knowledge!

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