The goal of the game
Score more goals than the other team. A goal counts when the whole ball crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar, without an attacking offence.
Basics
Basic Soccer Rules
The basic soccer rules for beginners: players, time, goals, boundaries, fouls, restarts, and tied matches.
11players per team
45minutes per half
15maximum halftime minutes
7minimum players to continue
What the referee controls
The referee manages fouls, misconduct, restarts, substitutions, lost time, and decisions such as penalties or cards.
Visual path
Match basics
Kick-off
Two halves
Goals
Fouls
Final whistle
Based on FIFA tournament information for World Cup pages and the IFAB Laws of the Game for rules pages. Football Buddy keeps explanations short for casual fans.
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FAQ
Common beginner questions
How long is a soccer match?
A standard match has two 45-minute halves, plus any stoppage time added by the referee.
How many players are on the field?
Each team has up to 11 players, including one goalkeeper.