How many players are in a football team?
B · Beginner · Who plays, and who can come on? · 17 of 17Checked 13 October 2026
Each team has at most 11 players on the field, one of whom must be the goalkeeper. A match cannot start or continue if a team has fewer than seven. The competition decides how many substitutes can be named, from three to fifteen.
How it works
- Up to 11 players, including a goalkeeper.
- Fewer than seven: the match may not start or continue.
- The competition sets how many substitutes are named (3 to 15) and how many can be used (up to 5 in official competitions).
- Substitutes must be named to the referee before the match. Anyone not named cannot take part.
- A team that starts short can be joined later only by players named on the team list.
- Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football can use different numbers.
Tricky cases
Can a team start with ten players?
Yes. A team needs at least seven. A named player who arrives late can join.
What happens if a team drops below seven during a match?
The match cannot continue.
Why the rule exists
Equal numbers make a fair contest, and the minimum of seven stops a match carrying on when one side can no longer compete.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| All football under the Laws | 11 a side, minimum 7 | L3.1 |
| Youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football | Number of players can be changed | L Notes (General modifications) |
From the rule book
IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, Laws 3.1 to 3.3, in force from 1 July 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: IFAB Laws of the Game (PDF).