How Many Players Are There on a Soccer Team?
The simple answer to the question of how many players are on a soccer team is eleven. However, that single number only scratches the surface of a much more complex and layered topic, which is why the query how many players are on a soccer team is one of the most frequently asked by those new to the sport.
The true size of a modern professional soccer club is a multifaceted concept that extends far beyond the pitch, encompassing matchday squads, season-long rosters, vast youth academies, and an extensive network of off-field support staff.
This guide will serve as your definitive resource, providing a comprehensive answer to every variation of this question. We will explore the rules that dictate how many players on a soccer team on the field, the tactical importance of substitutes, and how many players on a soccer team including substitutes are available for any given match.
We will delve into the squad registration rules that determine how many players on a professional soccer team, and even examine how many players are on a youth soccer team at different age levels. From the fundamental laws of the game to the complex logistics of a modern global club, this is the complete and in-depth explanation.
On the Pitch: The Starting XI
The most fundamental and universally recognized answer to how many players are on a team in soccer pertains to the number of players actively participating in a match.
The Fundamental Rule: Law 3 of the Game
According to Law 3 of the Laws of the Game, as established by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of eleven players on the field at any one time. One of these eleven players must be the designated goalkeeper. This rule is the bedrock of the sport, applied universally from youth leagues to the FIFA World Cup final. This means that the direct answer to how many players on a soccer team on the field is always eleven.
The Roles Within the Eleven
These eleven players are organized into positions that fulfill different roles. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to handle the ball within their own penalty area. The other ten “outfield players” are generally categorized as defenders (whose primary job is to prevent the other team from scoring), midfielders (who operate in the middle of the field, linking defense and attack), and forwards (whose main objective is to score goals).
Formations and Tactical Dispositions
Coaches arrange their eleven players in a specific formation, which is a tactical blueprint for how the team will operate. Formations are described numerically from defense to attack, such as the classic 4-4-2 (four defenders, four midfielders, two forwards) or the modern 4-3-3 (four defenders, three midfielders, three forwards). Regardless of the tactical setup, the total number of players on the pitch remains eleven, providing the constant in the question of soccer how many players on a team.
The Minimum Number of Players
While a team starts with eleven players, the rules also specify a minimum number required to continue a match. A match may not start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players on the field. If a team’s numbers drop below seven due to a combination of injuries and red cards (send-offs), the match is abandoned, and the team is typically forced to forfeit.
The Matchday Squad: Starters and Substitutes
The inquiry of how many players on a soccer team including substitutes is the next layer of the question. A team cannot get through a grueling 90-minute match with only eleven players. Substitutes are essential for replacing injured or fatigued players and for making tactical adjustments to change the course of a game.
The Evolution of the Substitute
The concept of substitutes has evolved dramatically over time. In the early days of the sport, no substitutions were allowed. The rule was gradually introduced, first for injured players, and later for tactical reasons. For many years, the standard was three substitutes per match.
However, in response to the increased physical demands on players and fixture congestion, football’s governing bodies have now permanently adopted a rule allowing teams to make up to five substitutions per match, made in a maximum of three in-play stoppages.
Bench Size by Competition
The number of players available on the bench, and therefore the total size of the matchday squad, varies by competition. This is a key detail when asking how many players play on a soccer team for a specific game.
- Premier League (England): The matchday squad consists of 20 players total (11 starters and 9 named substitutes on the bench).
- UEFA Champions League: In major European competitions, teams are allowed a larger bench. The matchday squad can include up to 23 players (11 starters and 12 substitutes).
- FIFA World Cup
: For the 2022 World Cup, squads were expanded to 26 players, meaning a team could have 11 starters and a massive bench of 15 substitutes for each match.
This variation shows that the answer to how many players on a soccer team including substitutes depends heavily on the specific rules of the tournament or league.
The First-Team Squad: The Season-Long Roster
When considering how many players on a professional soccer team for an entire season, the number expands further. The “first-team squad” is the main group of players that a club registers for its domestic league and other competitions. This pool is significantly larger than the matchday squad to provide the necessary depth for a long and demanding season.
Why Squads are Larger than Matchday Rosters
A professional soccer season can last for nine to ten months and include over 50 matches across multiple competitions (league, domestic cups, continental tournaments). A larger squad is essential to provide cover for injuries, suspensions, player fatigue, and to have a variety of players with different skill sets for different tactical situations. A typical first-team squad for a top club will have around 23 to 28 players. This roster size is the most common answer to how many players are on a professional soccer team.
A Deep Dive into Squad Registration Rules
Major leagues have specific rules governing squad size. The English Premier League provides a great case study.
- A club can register a maximum of 25 players for its main squad.
- Within this 25-man squad, no more than 17 players can be “non-homegrown.”
- The crucial exception is that clubs can use an unlimited number of players who are under the age of 21 on top of their main 25-man squad. This is why a pro soccer team can often appear to have a roster of 30 or more active players, as the young players do not count toward the primary registration limit.
These rules provide a detailed answer to how many players on a pro soccer team, showing it is a carefully regulated number.
The Evolution of Squad Sizes Over Time
The modern answer to how many soccer players on a team is very different from that of previous eras. In the early to mid-20th century, professional squads were significantly smaller, often consisting of just 16 to 18 players. The concept of a large, rotating roster was not common. Several key factors have driven the progressive change in the size of soccer teams over time. The formal introduction of substitutes in the latter half of the 20th century was the first major catalyst, instantly requiring teams to have more than just a starting eleven.
As the football calendar became more congested with the expansion of domestic cup competitions and the rise of prestigious continental tournaments like the UEFA Champions League, the physical demands on players skyrocketed. This increased fixture load led to more injuries and a greater need for player rotation, forcing clubs to build deeper squads. The financial boom in football, driven by massive television rights deals, has also given top clubs the resources to sign and maintain larger rosters of elite talent, further expanding the modern answer to how many players is on a soccer team.
Youth Soccer: How Many Players Are On a Youth Soccer Team?
The question of how many players are on a youth soccer team is crucial for player development, and the answer changes with age. Youth soccer leagues around the world use a model of small-sided games, gradually increasing the number of players and the field size as children get older. This approach is designed to maximize player involvement, ensure more touches on the ball, and teach the fundamentals of the game in an age-appropriate manner.
Small-Sided Games (Ages 6-10)
For the youngest age groups, the answer to how many players are on a youth soccer team is typically between four and seven. These games are played on small fields with small goals. Common formats include 4v4 (with no goalkeepers) and 7v7 (with goalkeepers). The focus is on developing basic skills like dribbling, passing, and spatial awareness in a fun, engaging environment.
Transitional Formats (Ages 11-13)
As players develop, they move to a transitional format, most commonly 9v9. These games are played on a larger field than the 7v7 format but are still smaller than a full-sized pitch. This format introduces more complex tactical concepts, such as offside, and helps players adjust to the increased space and number of teammates before they move to the full game.
The Full-Sided Game (Ages 14+)
Typically, around the age of 14, youth teams transition to the full 11v11 format on a standard-sized field. At this point, the answer to how many players are on a youth soccer team mirrors the professional game, with eleven players on the field. The roster size for these teams also grows to accommodate substitutes, often ranging from 16 to 20 players.
A Global Comparison: How Soccer Team Size Compares to Other Sports
To provide further context for how many players are on a standard soccer team, it is helpful to compare it to the team sizes in other popular global sports.
Soccer vs. American Football (NFL)
While both sports have 11 players on the field at one time, the overall team size is vastly different. An NFL team has an active roster of 53 players, with 48 eligible to dress for a game. This is because the sport requires highly specialized players for offense, defense, and special teams units.
Soccer vs. Basketball (NBA)
Basketball is played with five players on the court. An NBA team has a standard active roster of up to 15 players, plus additional two-way contract players who can move between the NBA and the G League.
Soccer vs. Baseball (MLB)
Baseball has nine players on the field. An MLB team has an active roster of 26 players for most of the season, which expands to 28 in September. This larger roster is needed to accommodate a full pitching staff.
Soccer vs. Ice Hockey (NHL)
Ice hockey is played with six players on the ice (including the goaltender). An NHL team typically dresses 20 players for a game (18 skaters and 2 goalies), with a full active roster of 23 players.
Soccer vs. Handball
Handball features seven players on the court (including the goalkeeper). A typical team roster for a major tournament is around 16 players.
Soccer vs. Volleyball
Indoor volleyball is played with six players on the court. International rules allow for a team roster of up to 14 players for a competition.
Detailed Comparison Table
| Sport | Players on Field/Court | Typical Matchday Roster | Typical Full Roster |
| Soccer | 11 | 20-23 | 25-28 |
| American Football (NFL) | 11 | 48 | 53 |
| Basketball (NBA) | 5 | 13-15 | ~15-17 |
| Baseball (MLB) | 9 | 26 | 26 |
| Ice Hockey (NHL) | 6 | 20 | 23 |
| Handball | 7 | 14-16 | ~16 |
| Volleyball | 6 | 12-14 | ~14 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- So, how many players is on a soccer team for a professional match? For a professional match, there are 11 players on the field, and the full matchday squad, including substitutes, is typically between 20 and 23 players depending on the competition.
- What is the answer to how many players on a soccer team total including all club levels? The total number of players a professional club owns can be well over 100. This includes the first-team squad, all the players in the youth academy at various age levels, and any players who are currently out on loan to other clubs.
- When I search for soccer how many players on a team, does the answer change for men and women? No, the rules are the same. Both men’s and women’s professional soccer is played with 11 players on each side.
- What is the most basic answer to how many players play on a soccer team? The most basic and fundamental answer is 11 players on the field.
Final Thoughts
The question of how many players are on a soccer team is a perfect example of how a simple query can have a deeply layered and complex answer. While the number eleven is the immutable core of the sport, representing the players on the field at any given moment, the true size and scope of a modern soccer team is far greater.
The answer expands from the starting eleven to the 20-23 players in a matchday squad, to the 25-plus players in a full first-team roster, and finally to the hundreds of players across a club’s entire structure, from the youth academy to the loan system.
Understanding these different layers, from the fundamental laws of the game to the strategic and logistical realities of a professional season, provides a much richer appreciation for the world’s most popular sport. So, while the simple answer is eleven, the complete answer reveals a massive and complex human enterprise.
