What does the captain do in football?
A · Advanced · Who plays, and who can come on? · 10 of 12Checked 13 October 2026
Each team must have a captain on the field wearing an armband. The captain has no special status or privileges under the Laws, only some responsibility for the team's behaviour. Under the "only the captain" guidelines, the captain is the one player who may approach the referee about key decisions.
How it works
- An identifying armband is compulsory: the one issued by the competition, or a single-coloured one that may carry "captain" or "C".
- The captain has a degree of responsibility for the team's behaviour and for helping decisions be respected.
- Competitions may apply the "only the captain" guidelines, compulsory from 1 July 2027.
- If the captain is the goalkeeper, another player is named before kick-off to speak to the referee.
Tricky cases
Can the captain overturn or question a decision?
No. The captain can hear the referee's explanation, respectfully. Dissent is a yellow card for a captain as for anyone.
Why the rule exists
A single point of contact helps the referee communicate with a team without being surrounded.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | Captain with armband | L3.10; L4.2 |
| Competitions adopting "only the captain" | Captain alone approaches the referee | L Notes |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 3.10 and 4.2 and the "Only the captain" guidelines, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).