Starting play
A coin toss decides which team kicks off and which end each side attacks. The ball is in play the moment it is kicked and clearly moves; the kicker may not touch it again until another player has.
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FIELD · FIFA · AFC · AIFF
Football
Football is played between two teams of eleven, each trying to move the ball into the opposition goal without using hands or arms. Play is continuous across two halves, stopping only for fouls, injuries and the ball leaving the field. The team with more goals when time expires wins; a level score is a draw unless the competition requires a winner.
group
PLAYERS
11 a side, up to 5 substitutions
schedule
DURATION
2 × 45 min + stoppage time
stadium
PLAYING AREA
Natural or FIFA-quality artificial turf, 100–110 m × 64–75 m
scoreboard
SCORING
1 point per goal
HOW IT IS PLAYED
Core Rules
Scoring a goal
A goal is awarded when the whole of the ball crosses the whole of the goal line between the posts and beneath the crossbar, provided no offence was committed by the scoring team beforehand.
Handling the ball
Only the goalkeeper may handle the ball, and only inside their own penalty area. Deliberate contact with hand or arm by any other player is an offence; accidental contact is judged on whether the arm made the body unnaturally bigger.
Offside
An attacker is offside if any part of the head, body or feet is nearer the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last defender at the moment a teammate plays it, and they then become involved in active play. It is not an offence to be in an offside position alone.
Ball out of play
The ball is out only when it fully crosses a touchline or goal line, on the ground or in the air. Over a touchline it restarts with a throw-in; over the goal line it is a corner kick or a goal kick depending on who touched it last.
Throw-ins
The thrower must face the field, keep part of both feet on or behind the touchline, and deliver the ball with both hands from behind and over the head. A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.
Free kicks
Direct free kicks may be struck straight into the goal; indirect free kicks must touch another player first. Opponents must stand at least 9.15 m away, and a defensive wall of three or more may not be joined by an attacker within a metre.
Penalty kicks
A direct-free-kick offence committed by the defending team inside its own penalty area results in a penalty from 11 m. The goalkeeper must keep at least part of one foot on or in line with the goal line until the ball is kicked.
Substitutions and stoppage time
Teams may make up to five substitutions in three separate stoppages, plus one at half-time. The referee adds time at the end of each half for substitutions, injuries, goal celebrations and any other deliberate delay.
WATCH OUT
Fouls & Penalties
- errorCharging, tripping, kicking, pushing or striking an opponent carelessly, recklessly or with excessive force — direct free kick.
- errorHolding an opponent, spitting, or handling the ball deliberately — direct free kick.
- errorPlaying dangerously, obstructing without contact, or a goalkeeper holding the ball more than six seconds — indirect free kick.
- errorYellow card for unsporting behaviour, dissent, persistent infringement, delaying the restart or entering the field without permission.
- errorRed card for serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity, or a second yellow.
WHO DECIDES
Match Officials
- sportsReferee — sole authority on the field, keeps time and applies all decisions.
- sportsTwo assistant referees — signal offside, ball out of play and which side restarts.
- sportsFourth official — manages substitutions, technical areas and added time.
- sportsVideo Assistant Referee (VAR) — reviews goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity where the competition uses it.
GOVERNED BY FIFA · AFC · AIFF
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