Football, the world’s most popular sport, thrives on its blend of passion, skill, and well-defined rules. From the dimensions of the pitch to advanced technologies like VAR and goal-line systems, every aspect is carefully regulated to ensure fairness and safety.

Today, the JiliAce guide provides an in-depth look at football match rules, key match regulations, modern technologies, and mandatory player equipment that uphold the integrity and excitement of the game.

Football Match Rules About Playing Field

Surface

The playing field must be entirely natural or completely artificial grass unless football laws allow a hybrid system combining synthetic and natural materials.
The color of artificial surfaces must be green.
For matches involving national football associations affiliated with FIFA or international club matches, the surface must comply with FIFA’s Football Turf Quality Programme or International Match Standard unless special permission is granted by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

Football Match Rules About Playing Field

Field Markings

The playing field must be rectangular, marked with continuous lines that pose no danger.
Only the lines indicated in the Laws of the Game may be marked on the playing field. On artificial surfaces, other markings are allowed if they are in a different color and clearly distinguishable from the football lines.
The two longer boundary lines are called touchlines, and the two shorter lines are goal lines.
The field is divided into two halves by a halfway line, connecting the midpoints of the touchlines.

The center mark is located at the midpoint of the halfway line, surrounded by a circle with a radius of 9.15m (10 yds). Measurements are taken from the outer edges of the lines, as these lines are part of the area they enclose.

The penalty mark is measured from the center of the mark to the outer edge of the goal line.
An optional arc, 9.15m (10 yds) from the corner arc, may be marked off the field perpendicular to the touchlines and goal lines.
All lines must be of the same width, not exceeding 12cm (5 inches). The goal lines must match the width of the goalposts and crossbar.

Dimensions

Touchlines must be longer than goal lines.

Length (Touchlines):

Minimum: 90m (100 yds)
Maximum: 120m (130 yds)

Width (Goal Lines):

Minimum: 45m (50 yds)
Maximum: 90m (100 yds)

For specific matches, the lengths of the touchlines and goal lines must fall within these ranges.

Dimensions for International Matches:
Length (Touchlines):

Minimum: 100m (100 yds)
Maximum: 110m (120 yds)

Width (Goal Lines):

Minimum: 64m (70 yds)
Maximum: 75m (80 yds)

Goal Area

The goal area is defined by two lines perpendicular to the goal line, 5.5m (6 yds) from the inner edge of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for 5.5m (6 yds) and are connected by a line parallel to the goal line. The area enclosed by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.

Penalty Area

The penalty area is defined by two lines perpendicular to the goal line, 16.5m (18 yds) from the inner edge of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for 16.5m (18 yds) and are connected by a line parallel to the goal line. The area enclosed by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area.

Inside each penalty area, a penalty mark is placed 11m (12 yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts.
An arc with a radius of 9.15m (10 yds) from the center of each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.

Corner Area

The corner area is marked by a quarter-circle with a radius of 1m (1 yd) from each corner flagpost, drawn inside the playing field.

Corner Flags

Flagposts must be at least 1.5m (5 ft) high, with non-pointed tops, and flags must be placed at each corner.
Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, at least 1m (1 yd) from the touchline.

Technical Area

The technical area is relevant for matches in stadiums with designated seating for team officials and substitutes, with the following regulations:

The technical area should extend 1m (1 yd) on either side of the designated seating and no more than 1m (1 yd) from the touchline.
Markings should be used to define the area.
The number of occupants in the technical area is determined by competition rules.
Occupants must:
- Be identified before the match as per competition rules.
- Behave responsibly.
- Remain within the area unless exceptions arise, such as medical staff entering the field with the referee’s permission to assist an injured player.

Only one person may provide tactical instructions at a time from the technical area.

Goalposts

A goal must be placed at the center of each goal line. It consists of two vertical posts equidistant from the corner flags, joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. Goalposts and crossbars must be made of approved materials and must not pose a danger.

Both goals must have identical shapes, which can be square, rectangular, round, elliptical, or a combination.
The distance between the inner edges of the posts is 7.32m (8 yds), and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44m (8 ft).
The position of goalposts relative to the goal line must match the illustrations in the official rules.

Goalposts and crossbars must be white, with equal width and depth, not exceeding 12cm (5 inches).

If the crossbar is displaced or broken, play is stopped until it is repaired or replaced. Play resumes with a dropped ball. If repair is impossible, the match must be abandoned. Ropes or any soft or dangerous materials must not replace the crossbar.

Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind them, provided they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.

Goal-Line Technology (GLT)

GLT systems may be used to verify whether a goal has been scored, assisting the referee’s decision.

GLT applies solely to the goal line and is used exclusively to determine if a goal has been scored.
The signal indicating a goal must be immediate and automatically confirmed by the GLT system within one second to match officials (via the referee’s watch with a vibration and visual signal). It may also be relayed to the Video Operation Room (VOR).

Commercial Advertising

No form of commercial advertising, real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play, within the goal nets, technical area, referee review area (RRA), or within 1m (1 yd) of the boundary lines from the time teams enter the field until the end of the first half, and from the time teams re-enter the field until the match concludes.
Advertising on goalposts, nets, flagpoles, or flags is prohibited, and no external devices (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items.

Additionally, vertical advertisements must be positioned at least:

1m (1 yd) away from the touchlines.
At a distance from the goal line equal to the depth of the goal net.
1m (1 yd) away from the goal net.

Logos and Emblems

Reproducing FIFA, confederation, national football association, competition, club, or other organizational logos or emblems, whether real or virtual, on the field of play, goal nets, surrounding areas, goal frames, or corner flags is prohibited during play. Flags bearing such emblems are permitted on flagpoles.

Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

Matches using VAR must have a Video Operation Room (VOR) and at least one Referee Review Area (RRA).

VOR: The Video Operation Room is where the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Assistant VAR (AVAR), and Replay Operator (RO) operate. It may be located inside/near the stadium or at a remote location. Only authorized individuals are allowed inside the VOR or to communicate with the VAR, AVAR, and RO during the match.
Any player, substitute, substitute player, or team official entering the VOR will be dismissed.

Match Ball

Ball Quality and Specifications

All balls must undergo official testing and meet specific technical requirements for the brand, in addition to the minimum specifications outlined in the Laws of the Game, and must be approved by IFAB.

All match balls must be:

Spherical.
Made of suitable material.
Have a circumference of 68 cm (27 inches) to 70 cm (28 inches).
Weigh 410 g (14 oz) to 450 g (16 oz) at the start of the match.
Have a pressure of 0.6–1.1 atm (600–1,100 g/cm²) at sea level (8.5 lbs/sq in–15.6 lbs/sq in).

In official matches organized under FIFA, confederation, or National Football Association auspices, no form of commercial advertising is permitted on the ball except for the competition logo, competition organizer’s logo, and manufacturer’s trademark. Competition rules may limit the size and number of these markings.

Football Match Rules About Players

General Rules

A match is played by two teams, each with a maximum of 11 players, one of whom must be the goalkeeper.
A match can only start or continue if either team has at least seven players.
If a team drops below seven players due to one or more players deliberately leaving the field, the referee may allow play to continue for advantage but must stop the game once the ball goes out of play if the team has fewer than seven players.

Substitutions in Official Matches

The maximum number of substitutes allowed in any official competition match is determined by FIFA, the confederation, or the National Football Association, with up to five substitutes permitted in top-tier club or international ‘A’ team competitions.
Teams are allowed:
- A maximum of five substitution opportunities.
- Additional substitutions at halftime.

Extra Time Substitutions:

If unused substitutions or substitution opportunities remain, these can be used during extra time.
If competition rules permit an additional substitute during extra time, each team will gain one extra substitution opportunity.
Substitutions can also be made at halftime or during the interval of extra time without counting toward the used substitution opportunities.

Substitution Procedure

The names of substitutes must be provided to the referee before the match begins. Unnamed substitutes are ineligible to participate.

Steps for Substitution:

The referee must be informed before any substitution.
The player being substituted:
- Must leave the field with the referee’s permission, typically at the nearest boundary point unless otherwise directed by the referee for safety, security, or injury reasons.
- Must immediately proceed to the technical area or dressing room and may not re-enter the match unless returning as a substitute.
Substitutes may enter the field only:
- During a stoppage in play.
- After the replaced player has left the field.
- After receiving the referee’s signal.

The substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field. All substituted and unused substitutes remain under the referee’s authority, whether they participate in the match or not.

Changing the Goalkeeper

Any player may swap positions with the goalkeeper if:
- The referee is informed before the change.
- The change is made during a stoppage in play.

=> Read more: Matchup Betting – Rules and Winning Strategies

Football Match Rules About Player Equipment

Safety

Players must not use equipment or wear anything that poses a danger.

Jewelry: All jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) is prohibited and must be removed. Taping over jewelry is not allowed.
Players are inspected before the match and substitutes are checked before entering the field.

If a player is found wearing or using unauthorized or dangerous equipment/jewelry, the referee must instruct the player to:

Remove the item.
Leave the field at the next stoppage if they cannot or will not comply.

A player who refuses to comply or puts the item back on after removal must be cautioned.

Mandatory Equipment

A player’s basic compulsory equipment includes the following distinct items:

A jersey with sleeves.
Shorts.
Socks: Any tape or material worn over or outside the socks must be the same color as the part of the sock it covers.
Shin guards: Made from appropriate materials to provide reasonable protection and covered by the socks.
Footwear: Football boots.

Goalkeepers may wear tracksuit bottoms.

If a player accidentally loses their boots or shin guards during play, they must replace them as soon as possible, by when the ball next goes out of play. If a player without proper equipment plays the ball or scores a goal before replacing it, the goal will stand.

Colors

Both teams must wear colors that distinguish them from each other and the match officials.
Each goalkeeper must wear colors that are easily distinguishable from all other players and the match officials.
If both goalkeepers wear the same color and no alternative is available, the match will proceed as directed by the referee.

=> Are you looking for a reputable and top-quality casino for betting? Try our partners: Tapwin 2024.

Undergarments

Shirt undergarments: Must be a single color matching the main color of the shirt sleeves or an exact pattern/color that replicates the shirt sleeves.
Shorts undergarments/compression tights: Must match the main color of the shorts or the bottom part of the shorts. All players on the same team must wear the same color.