How Many Players Are on a Football Team? Starters, Subs and Squads
A football team plays with 11 players on the pitch, one of whom must be the goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue if either team has fewer than 7 players. Beyond the starting eleven, teams also have substitutes on the bench and a larger squad for the season.
The starting eleven
The eleven usually consists of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players split into defenders, midfielders and forwards. There is no fixed number for each group, and the coach chooses the shape. Common examples include 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2. See our formations guide and football positions guide for what each player does.
What is the minimum number of players?
Law 3 of the Laws of the Game says a match may not start or continue if a team has fewer than seven players. A team can drop below eleven because of red cards or because an injured player cannot be replaced after all substitutions are used. If a team falls to six players, the referee abandons the match, and the competition decides the result.
How many substitutes are allowed?
Most top competitions allow five substitutions per match, made in up to three separate stoppages plus half-time. An extra substitution is usually allowed in extra time. Competitions also decide how many substitutes can sit on the bench, and this number varies. Read the full substitution rules.
How big is a football squad?
A squad is the full group of players registered with a club or national team. Limits depend on the competition:
| Level | Typical squad size |
|---|---|
| Professional club in a top league | Around 25 senior players, plus younger players in many leagues |
| National team at a major tournament | Usually 23 to 26 players, set by the tournament rules |
Many competitions also have rules about home-grown players or foreign players, so a squad is shaped by more than a single number.
Smaller versions of football
- 5-a-side: popular for casual play and on small courts, including futsal, which has its own official laws.
- 7-a-side and 9-a-side: often used in youth football so that children touch the ball more often on a smaller pitch.
Why does football have eleven players?
Football's early rules did not always fix the number of players. Eleven became the standard in Britain during the 19th century, and it is now written into the Laws of the Game. The exact origin of the number is not certain, and popular explanations should be treated as stories rather than settled history.
Frequently asked questions
Can a team start a match with fewer than 11 players?
Yes, as long as it has at least seven, although playing short is a big disadvantage. Missing players may usually join later if they are named on the team list and the referee allows it.
Must a team have a goalkeeper?
Yes. One player must always be the goalkeeper. If the goalkeeper is sent off and no substitutes remain, an outfield player has to go in goal, wearing a different colour from the other players.
Does a sent-off player get replaced?
No. A player sent off after kick-off cannot be replaced, so the team continues with one fewer player.
Where can I see a team's lineup?
Open any match on EHScore and choose the Lineup tab. Lineups are usually available about an hour before kick-off, and they show the starting eleven, the formation and the substitutes.