Question

In football, how many players are on a standard team on the pitch?

Answer 1

Answer: 11

Explanation:

In football (also known as soccer in some countries), each team fields exactly 11 players on the pitch at any given time during a match. This is a fundamental rule that applies to all standard football matches worldwide, from local club games to prestigious international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup.

The 11 players typically consist of one goalkeeper and 10 outfield players. The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to use hands and arms to touch the ball, but only within their penalty area. The remaining 10 players are positioned across the field in various formations, which can include defenders, midfielders, and forwards, depending on the team's tactical approach.

This rule has been consistent since the early days of organized football. The Laws of the Game, as established by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), clearly state that a match cannot start or continue if either team has fewer than seven players on the field, but the standard number remains 11 for each side.

During a match, teams can make substitutions to replace players, but the total number on the field must always remain at 11 (unless a player is sent off with a red card or injured and all substitutions have been used). In modern football, teams are typically allowed to make up to five substitutions during a match, but this doesn't change the fact that only 11 players per team can be on the pitch simultaneously.