Quick Scoop: How many players are there in soccer?

In standard (11‑a‑side) soccer, there are 11 players per team on the field at any time, so 22 players total during a match. A professional matchday squad usually has more players on the bench as substitutes, but only 11 from each side can actively play at once.

Standard 11‑a‑side soccer

On the field

  • 11 players per team :
    • 1 goalkeeper
    • 10 outfield players (defenders, midfielders, forwards).
  • Total on the pitch : 22 players (11 vs 11).

This is the format used in:

  • Major professional leagues (e.g., Premier League, La Liga)
  • International tournaments (World Cup, Euros, etc.)
  • Most adult and youth outdoor leagues.

Substitutes and squad size

  • Teams often bring 18–25 players on matchday (starting 11 + substitutes + officials).
  • Rules vary by competition, but most professional matches allow 3–5 substitutions per game.
  • If a player is sent off (red card), the team must continue with fewer than 11 players, but they cannot replace them.

Minimum players

  • A match cannot start or continue if a team has fewer than 7 players.

Other common soccer formats

Soccer is often played in smaller formats, especially for youth, indoor, or recreational play. The number of players changes:

Format| Players per team (including GK)| Typical use
---|---|---
11-a-side| 11| Professional, adult, most youth outdoor
7-a-side| 7| Youth leagues, smaller fields
5-a-side| 5| Indoor, casual, adult recreational
Futsal| 5| Hard court, skill-focused training

These variations are common in:

  • 7-a-side : younger children, faster involvement.
  • 5-a-side / Futsal : tight spaces, quick passing, technical development.

Team positions in 11-a-side soccer

The 11 players are usually grouped into:

  1. Goalkeeper (1)
    • Only player allowed to use hands inside the penalty area.
    • Protects the goal and organizes the defense.
  1. Defenders (typically 3–5)
    • Center-backs: stop attackers, clear danger.
    • Full-backs: defend flanks and support attacks.
  1. Midfielders (typically 3–5)
    • Central, defensive, or attacking roles.
    • Link defense and attack, control tempo.
  1. Forwards (typically 1–3)
    • Strikers: main goal scorers.
    • Wingers: create chances from the sides.

Why 11 players?

The number 11 is set by FIFA’s Laws of the Game , designed to balance:

  • Strategic depth (many roles and formations)
  • Physical space (not too crowded, not too open).

Different formats (5, 7, etc.) adjust this to suit:

  • Smaller fields
  • Younger players
  • Indoor or recreational settings.

Bottom line:
In standard soccer, there are 11 players per team on the field (22 total). In smaller formats, teams can have 5 or 7 players. The exact number depends on the type of match, but the official, global standard remains 11-a-side. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.