How many players are on a soccer team and how many are allowed on the pitch?

How many players are on a soccer team and how many are allowed on the pitch?

Claudia Kogi
updated at May 10, 2023 at 5:48 AM

Soccer is the most viewed sport in the world, with billions of followers worldwide. Since its inception, it has come a long way and has a rich history in most parts of the planet, especially Europe, where most giant football teams reside. Some might wonder how many players are allowed on a soccer team and how many are allowed on the pitch during a match.

How many players on the field are on a soccer team?
Feyenoord players celebrate the first goal of their team during the Dutch Eredivisie match against Excelsior Rotterdam at Van Dongen & De Roo Stadion on May 7, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Hans van der Valk
Source: Getty Images

Historically, football has helped unite people from various cultures, traditions, races, and countries across continents. It has also increased diversity, cultural appreciation, and peace in multiple places worldwide.

How many players are on a soccer team?

A soccer team has a total of 11 athletes, including the goalkeeper. However, professional football has 25 players in its squad to give room and account for those on injury and other metrics such as form and performance.

On match days, substitutes are kept on the bench and only allowed on the pitch to replace those sent off except for a red card. Rules regarding how many substitutions can be made in a given match must be adhered to.

Professional matches have up to seven substitutes, thus making the total number of athletes on the field during match day eighteen. 

How many players are on the field in a soccer team?

The number of athletes on the field can vary depending on the game type and the pitch size. In professional matches, each squad is allowed to have 11 athletes on the field at a given time.

The number of athletes on the field remains constant even after substitution and only changes when a player commits a foul that results in a red card and cases of injury; that is, after all, substitutions have been used up.

How many players are on a youth soccer team?
Newcastle United's Swiss defender Fabian Schar (C) fights for the ball with Arsenal's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus (R) during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England on 7 May 2023. Photo: Lindsey Parnaby
Source: Getty Images

Governing bodies ensure that the number of athletes on the field is as per the rules, and a game can only start if there are at least seven players.

How many players are on a soccer team's roster?

A roster comprises 22 to 25 athletes depending on the rules and regulations of the competition that they are partaking in. A roster is the total number of athletes on the club's payroll.

Some athletes on the roster are not necessarily on the starting 11 and are mainly used as substitutes and for strategies in case of injuries.

How many players are on a youth soccer team?

A youth football team comprises six to nine players depending on the participants' ages. The youngest and oldest will compete in groups of six and nine, depending on their physical capabilities.

That said, there are several reasons why there are fewer players on the youth football team, and one of them is because of the field size, which is rather smaller compared to a normal one. Small-sized pitch creates less room; thus, lesser athletes are involved.

The youth football squad has several categories classified according to age. Those under five, six, seven, and nine athletes have six players on their squad. Under 9 and 10 have seven; finally, under 11 and 12 have nine players.

How many players are on a World Cup soccer team?

FIFA World Cup tournament rules and regulations require all participating countries to have 26 registered athletes on their squads. Normally, 32 national teams are involved in the tournament that is usually held after every four years.

Including the goalie, how many players are on a soccer team?

Including the goalie, how many players are on a soccer team?
Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal saves a header from Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on 7 May 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Photo: Stu Forster
Source: Getty Images

Including the goalkeeper, there are 11 athletes in a football team. However, professional soccer has 25 players in its squad to give room and account for those on injury and other metrics such as form and performance.

How many players, including those on the bench, are on a soccer team?

The total number of athletes on a football squad, including those on the bench, is a maximum of 23 and a minimum of 14.

Each squad can have at least 3 to 12 athletes on the bench. According to the governing rules and regulations, no specific number of athletes should be on the bench during a match and rather only a maximum and a minimum.

How many players are on a soccer team, including the substitutes?

Including the substitutes, there are 25 athletes on a soccer squad. Historically, it was not until 1965 that the substitution concept was adopted. However, over the past decades, the rules and regulations governing substitution have gone through several reviews.

Professional matches allow up to a maximum of five substitutes per match. That said, a football squad is allowed to have a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 12 substitutes.

How many players are on a high school soccer team?

Most high school soccer squads, especially in the USA, consist of 18 to 20 players. Like the professional ones, there are 11 players on the field at a given time with between three to twelve substitutes.

How many positions are in soccer?

There are various positions in a football match depending on the type of formation being used. Different coaches have different tactics and formations that are used during match days.

Team members are categorised into goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and attackers. That said, all 11 players have their roles and spaces that they play in.

How many players are on a FIFA team?

FIFA rules and regulations require a football team to have 26 registered athletes, including three goalkeepers, on its squad.

How many teams play in a soccer game?

A football match comprises two squads competing against each other to take home a win.

How many players are on a soccer team?
West Ham United players celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on 7 May 2023 in London, England. Photo: Clive Rose
Source: Getty Images

How many rules are there in soccer?

A football match has 17 rules that govern how the game is played. The rules, which are easy to understand and follow, ensure that there are consequences for foul play and fairness to all competitors.

How many minutes does a soccer game last?

Professional football matches' rules depict that a game should last 90 minutes. However, there are instances where the game goes on to 120 minutes, in the extra time when determining a winner is crucial.

Some rules determine how many players are on a soccer team and how many should be used as substitutes. Although sometimes football might seem hard to understand, especially for beginners, it is relatively easy to master different positions that different athletes play.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.