How Many Players Are on a Soccer Team?
A standard soccer team has 11 players on the field, including one goalkeeper. Learn how substitutes, squad sizes, youth formats and futsal change the total.
A standard soccer team has 11 players on the field during a match. That group consists of 10 outfield players and one goalkeeper. The same number applies to men’s and women’s association football at the senior level.
When people ask how many players are on a soccer team, they may mean the number playing at one time or the size of the full squad. Those figures are different. A team can have 11 players on the pitch but a much larger roster that includes substitutes and players who are not selected for a particular match.
How many players are on the field?
In a regular 11-a-side soccer match, each team starts with 11 players:
- One goalkeeper: The goalkeeper protects the goal and can use their hands inside their own penalty area.
- Ten outfield players: These players usually operate as defenders, midfielders or forwards, although formations and responsibilities vary.
A match normally cannot begin or continue with fewer than seven players on one team under the Laws of the Game. If a team drops below that number because of injuries, red cards or other circumstances, the referee may abandon the match.
How many substitutes can a soccer team have?
The number of substitutes depends on the competition rules. Many professional competitions allow a matchday squad of 20 to 23 players, including the 11 starters. Some competitions permit up to five substitutions, while others use different limits or special rules for extra time.
Substitutes sit on the bench and may enter when the competition allows them to replace a player. A substitute who comes on becomes one of the 11 players on the field, while the replaced player usually takes no further part in the match.
A club’s complete first-team squad can be considerably larger than its matchday group. It may include more than 20 players, along with reserve-team players, academy players and athletes unavailable because of injury or suspension.
Do youth soccer and futsal use 11 players?
Not every form of soccer uses the traditional 11-a-side format. Youth leagues often reduce the number of players and the field size to suit the age and development of the participants. Common formats include seven-a-side and nine-a-side soccer.
Futsal is played indoors with five players per team on the court, including a goalkeeper. Small-sided soccer formats may use four, five, six, seven or nine players per side, depending on the rules of the league or tournament.
Quick answer
For a standard outdoor soccer match, each team has 11 players on the field: one goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. The total number of players connected with the team is higher because it also includes substitutes and other squad members. Always check the competition rules for the permitted squad size and substitution limit.
