How Many Players Are on a Soccer Team? The Simple Answer

Eleven. A soccer team has 11 players on the field at a time, and one of them is the goalkeeper. That's the same in the Premier League, MLS, the Champions League and the World Cup. Easy enough. But the full answer gets a little more interesting once you count the bench, red cards and youth soccer, so let's go through it.

Who those 11 players are

The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use their hands, and only inside their own penalty area. The other ten are split between defenders, midfielders and forwards.

How they line up is up to the coach. A 4-3-3 means four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards. A 4-4-2 swaps one forward for an extra midfielder. Whatever the shape, the numbers always add up to ten, plus the keeper.

How many players are on the whole team?

A lot more than 11. On game day, pro teams name a group of substitutes who wait on the bench, and most official competitions allow up to five substitutions per match. Some also allow extra substitutes for concussions.

Over a full season, a professional club carries a much bigger squad, often 25 players or more. It has to. Injuries, suspensions and three games in a week would wreck a team that only had 14.

Can a team play with fewer than 11?

Yes, and it happens all the time. If a player gets a red card, their team plays on with ten and can't replace them. The Laws of the Game let a match go on as long as each side has at least seven players. If a team drops below seven, the game can't continue, and under the 2026/27 rules the team responsible will usually forfeit.

What about youth soccer?

This is where the number changes, and it's what a lot of US parents are really asking. U.S. Soccer uses smaller games for younger kids so they get more touches on the ball. The maximum formats are:

Leagues can play smaller formats than these, but not bigger. By 13, kids are playing the full 11-a-side game.

Common questions

How many players are on a soccer team on the field?

Eleven, including the goalkeeper.

How many substitutes can a soccer team use?

Up to five in most official competitions. Some allow extra concussion substitutes on top of that.

What is the minimum number of players in a soccer game?

Seven. Below that, the match can't start or carry on.

Now that you know the 11, the next step is following how they're doing. The live Premier League table updates during games, and the Champions League page has this week's scores and fixtures.