Football looks simple, and that is its appeal: two teams, one ball, two goals. But every match from the World Cup to a Saturday-morning park game runs on the same 17 Laws of the Game written by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). The current edition is the IFAB Laws of the Game 2026/27, in force from 1 July 2026. The FA in England, US Soccer, MLS and the Premier League all apply it, so whether you say football or soccer, the rules below are the ones that count.
The pitch, the ball and the equipment (Laws 1–4)
A full-size pitch is 90–120 m long and 45–90 m wide; international matches narrow that to 100–110 m by 64–75 m, and many top stadiums use 105 × 68 m. The goal is 7.32 m wide and 2.44 m high, the penalty area extends 16.5 m from the goal line, the goal area 5.5 m, and the penalty mark sits 11 m from goal. The centre circle has a 9.15 m radius, which is also the distance opponents must respect at free kicks. Our soccer field dimensions tool shows every marking to scale.
The match ball is a size 5: 68–70 cm in circumference and 410–450 g. Players wear a shirt, shorts, socks, shin guards and footwear; goalkeepers wear colours that distinguish them from everyone else. Since 2026/27 the Laws talk about “accessories” rather than jewellery, and items that can be safely covered may be allowed.
Players and substitutions (Law 3)
Each team has 11 players, one of them the goalkeeper. If a team falls below seven players, the match cannot continue.
| Situation | Substitutions allowed |
|---|---|
| Competitive senior match | Up to 5, in max. 3 opportunities plus half-time |
| Extra time | +1 substitute and +1 opportunity |
| Concussion | Additional permanent substitutes where the competition uses them |
| Senior A international friendlies (2026/27) | 8, or up to 11 if both teams agree |
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup and in competitions that adopt it, a substituted player must leave the field within 10 seconds or the replacement has to wait for one minute of play before entering. Sketch your starting eleven and bench on our lineup builder.
Match officials and duration (Laws 5–7)
The referee has full authority and the final say, supported by two assistant referees, often a fourth official and, in professional football, a video assistant referee. Body cameras are an optional tool for referees from 2026/27.
A match lasts two halves of 45 minutes with a half-time break of no more than 15 minutes. Time lost to substitutions, injuries, VAR checks, time-wasting and goal celebrations is added on. Knockout ties that need a winner play 2 × 15 minutes of extra time and then kicks from the penalty mark. The full breakdown is in our guide on how long a football match lasts.
Starting, stopping and scoring (Laws 8–10)
Each half starts with a kick-off from the centre mark, and a goal can be scored directly from a kick-off. The ball is out of play only when the whole of the ball crosses the goal line or touchline, or when the referee stops play. A goal counts when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, provided no offence was committed.
When the referee stops play for something other than an offence, such as an injury, play restarts with a dropped ball. Under the 2026/27 wording, the dropped ball goes to the team that would have gained or kept possession.
Offside (Law 11)
A player is in an offside position if any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half and nearer to the goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent. It is only an offence if the player becomes involved in active play. Hands and arms are ignored, level is onside, and there is no offside from a goal kick, throw-in or corner. Our dedicated offside rule guide covers every scenario.
Fouls, misconduct and cards (Law 12)
Careless, reckless or excessively forceful challenges, holding, pushing, tripping and deliberate handball are penalised with a direct free kick, or a penalty if committed by a defender inside their own penalty area. Less physical offences, such as playing in a dangerous manner or impeding without contact, give an indirect free kick.
A yellow card (caution) punishes things like unsporting behaviour, dissent, persistent offences and delaying the restart. A red card (sending-off) punishes serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting or biting, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) in most cases, offensive language or gestures, and a second yellow in the same match. The details, including suspensions in the Premier League and MLS, are in our yellow and red card rules guide.
Free kicks, penalties and restarts (Laws 13–17)
| Restart | When | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Direct free kick | Physical fouls, handball | Can be scored directly |
| Indirect free kick | Technical offences, offside | Must touch another player before a goal |
| Penalty kick | Direct free kick offence by defender in own area | From the 11 m mark; goalkeeper must have part of one foot on the line |
| Throw-in | Ball crosses the touchline | Both hands, from behind and over the head; feet on or behind the line |
| Goal kick | Attackers last touched it over the goal line | Taken anywhere in the goal area |
| Corner kick | Defenders last touched it over the goal line | Taken from the corner arc |
Two changes affect how restarts are managed. Since 2025/26, a goalkeeper holding the ball for more than eight seconds concedes a corner kick, and the referee signals a five-second visual countdown first. At the 2026 World Cup and in competitions that adopt it, the same five-second countdown applies to slow throw-ins (the throw goes to the opponents) and goal kicks (a corner is awarded).
Grassroots, small-sided and US variations
Grassroots football adds options on top of the Laws. In England many adult and youth leagues use temporary dismissals (“sin bins”) for dissent, and youth formats move from 5v5 through 7v7 and 9v9 before reaching 11v11. In the US, NCAA college soccer and NFHS high-school soccer publish their own rulebooks with differences on substitutions and timing, so always check the competition handbook. Five-a-side and seven-a-side leagues usually drop offside and use roll-on substitutions.
To run a friendly or a youth game without a stadium screen, keep score and time on our online scoreboard, and use the tactics board to explain set pieces before kick-off.