How Many Players Are On A Soccer Team? Full Roster (2025)
If you are asking the question: how many players are on a soccer team – this is for you.
Soccer, the game loved by millions worldwide, is not just about scoring goals but also about the teamwork involved. Ever wondered how many players are on a soccer team in total?
In this article, we’ll break down the numbers, from the players on the field to those waiting on the sidelines, to give you a closer look at how many players are actually on a soccer team.
How Many Players Are On A Soccer Team
In this article, you can read through all 6 sections or skip ahead to the topics that are most important to you. Make sure to watch the video tutorials included and stick around until the end for a special free gift that is guaranteed to make you a better soccer player.
- How many players play on a soccer team?
- How many players are on a soccer team including substitutes?
- How many players are on a soccer team roster?
- How many players are on a soccer team in total?
- How to become a better soccer player, improve faster & achieve more!
I hope this article helps you understand how many players are on a soccer team. Let’s go!
How Many Players Play On A Soccer Team?
In soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, each team typically has 11 players on the field at a time, including one goalkeeper.
The team can make substitutions during the game, but only a certain number of players are allowed on the field at any given moment.
So, how many players play on a soccer team? This number can vary in informal or youth games, but in professional and international competitions, the standard is 11 players per team.
How Many Players Are On a Soccer Team Including Substitutes
A soccer team is allowed to have a match-day squad of 18 players, which includes 11 starting players and 7 substitutes. The starting 11 are the players who begin the match on the field, while the substitutes are players who can be brought into the game during specific stoppages or intervals.
The number of substitutes may vary depending on the competition and the governing body’s rules, but 7 substitutes is a common allowance.
To clarify, the breakdown of the match-day squad is typically:
- Starting 11 players on the field.
- 7 substitutes on the bench.
The coach can decide to make substitutions during the match, and the total number of players on the bench, including both substitutes and non-playing substitutes, is usually limited to a certain number, commonly 7. This makes 18 players on a soccer team including substitutes.
How Many Players Are on a Soccer Team Roster
The size of a soccer team’s roster, often referred to as the squad, can vary based on the rules of the competition and the decisions made by the team’s coaching staff.
In many professional and international competitions, teams are allowed to register and have a squad of up to 23 players. This 23-player squad typically includes a combination of starting players and substitutes. Plus 6, roster / squad / or rotation players.
So how many total players on a roster?
Of these 23 players it’s important to note that not all players in the squad may be eligible to participate in a particular match, from these 23 players the coach needs to choose the starting 11 and up to 7 substitutes for each game.
How Many Players Are on a Soccer Team in Total
In soccer, the composition of a team’s squad typically includes three main categories of players: starters, substitutes, and squad players. The total number of players on a team can be broken down as follows:
- Starters: The starting lineup consists of 11 players who are on the field at the beginning of the match. These are the players chosen by the coach to initiate the game.
- Substitutes: Teams are usually allowed to have up to 7 substitutes on the bench. From these, the coach can make up to 3 (or a number specified by the competition rules) substitutions during the match, replacing players from the starting lineup.
- Squad Players: The total squad size is often capped at 23 players for many professional and international competitions. This includes both the starting 11 and the substitutes. Squad players are all the individuals registered and eligible to play for the team in the competition.
To summarize how many players are on a soccer team in total:
- Starting 11 (Starters): 11 players
- Substitutes: Up to 7 players
- Total Squad Size: Up to 23 players
The coach can choose the starting lineup from the 23-player squad and select up to 7 players to be on the bench as substitutes during a given match.
How Many Players On A Soccer Team
In soccer, it’s not just about kicking the ball—it’s about working together. Whether it’s the first 11 players starting the game or the substitutes waiting to join in, each player is essential.
As we’ve explored the different parts of a soccer team, from the main team on the field to the extras on the bench, it’s clear that teamwork is the key to success.
Soccer is a game where everyone, from the first player to the last in the squad, plays a crucial role in creating the exciting moments we all love.
Hopefully you found this article about how many players are on a soccer team helpful.
(if so, keep reading)
Common Questions
Here are some common questions related to how many players are on a soccer team:
What is the maximum amount of players on a soccer team?
The maximum amount of players on a soccer team depends on the context. In an 11v11 match, a soccer team can have 11 players on the field at a time, including the goalkeeper. However, the full squad, including substitutes, can have more players available. For official competitions, teams often register up to 23 players for tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or continental competitions. In a regular league match, teams usually have a roster of 18 players, which includes the starting 11 and 7 substitutes.
What is the minimum amount of players on a soccer team?
The minimum number of players required for a soccer match to continue is 7 players. If a team drops below this number due to injuries, red cards, or any other reason, the referee is required to end the match. This rule ensures fairness in play, as having fewer than 7 players puts a team at an extreme disadvantage.
How many players are on a Premier League soccer team?
In the English Premier League, a soccer team can register up to 25 players for their official roster during the season. This roster must include a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players, with the remaining spots reserved for homegrown talent. On match day, teams can have 18 players—11 starters and 7 substitutes—listed on the team sheet, although only 5 substitutes can be used during the game. Clubs also have access to youth players, who can play without being officially registered in the 25-player squad.
How many players are on an Olympic soccer team?
In Olympic soccer, teams are allowed to bring a maximum of 18 players to the tournament. This number includes the starting 11 and 7 substitutes, who can be rotated throughout the matches. Olympic soccer teams also have age restrictions, as the competition is primarily for players under 23 years old, with the allowance of three overage players per squad.
How many players are on a World Cup soccer team?
At the FIFA World Cup, teams are permitted to have a squad of 26 players since recent rule changes, although it used to be 23 in previous tournaments. This squad includes the starting 11 players and 15 substitutes. On match days, coaches can only select 23 players for the game, with 11 starting and 12 on the bench. The extended squad allows teams to manage fatigue, injuries, and tactical adjustments in the high-pressure tournament environment.
How many players are on a professional soccer team roster?
The size of a professional soccer team roster varies by league and competition rules. In many domestic leagues, including Major League Soccer (MLS) and European competitions, rosters typically consist of 25 to 30 players. This number includes starting players, substitutes, and backup options to cover injuries and rotation throughout a long season. Teams in leagues with multiple competitions and heavy schedules often have deeper rosters to ensure they can field strong lineups while managing player workloads effectively.
How many players on a college soccer team?
In college soccer, the roster size typically ranges between 24 and 30 players, depending on the program and division level. NCAA rules allow teams to have 11 players on the field at a time, including a goalkeeper, but a larger roster gives coaches flexibility for substitutes and managing player workloads. College soccer teams often face demanding schedules, so having a deeper bench helps maintain performance throughout the season.
How many players on a youth soccer team?
The number of players on a youth soccer team varies based on the age group and format of play:
- U6 to U8 (small-sided games): Teams typically play 4v4 with no goalkeepers, and rosters include 6-8 players.
- U9 to U10: These games are played 7v7, with rosters of 10-12 players.
- U11 to U12: Teams transition to 9v9 matches, with rosters of 12-14 players.
- U13 and above: Full-sized 11v11 games are introduced, and rosters generally have 15-18 players.
Youth soccer emphasizes development, so roster sizes are kept small for younger players to maximize playing time and skill-building.
How many players on a high school soccer team?
High school soccer teams usually have rosters of 18 to 22 players, depending on the school and competition level. As with other formats, 11 players are on the field at any given time, including the goalkeeper. Having a larger roster allows for frequent substitutions and provides backup players in case of injuries or fatigue during the season. Coaches often use tryouts to build rosters, selecting players based on skill, fitness, and potential.
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About Coach Dylan
I used to struggle with confidence in soccer, feeling slow, weak, and unmotivated. Coaches overlooked me, and friends made fun of my skills. At one point, I even quit.
But I decided to take control of my development. Through hard work, I transformed my game, earned league titles, awards, a college scholarship, and international caps.
Now, I share my lessons and help others improve through my YouTube channel (1/2 million subscribers), soccer coaching and personal training.
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How Many Players Are On A Soccer Team? Full Roster (2025)
