Football Rules Trivia Questions and Answers

How well do you know the laws of the game? These football rules questions cover the basics every fan should know — team sizes, match length, cards and the offside law — plus modern additions like VAR. Each answer comes with a short explanation, making it a handy refresher for new fans and a quick test for old ones.

7 questions · Every answer explained · Fact-checked October 2026

1. 1. How many players does each football (soccer) team have on the field, including the goalkeeper?

   • A. 9
   • B. 10
   • C. 11
   • D. 12
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   C. 11 — A standard football team fields 11 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper.

2. 2. How long is a standard football match, not counting stoppage time?

   • A. 60 minutes
   • B. 80 minutes
   • C. 90 minutes
   • D. 100 minutes
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   C. 90 minutes — A regulation match consists of two 45-minute halves, totaling 90 minutes.

3. 3. What color card does a referee show to send a player off for a serious offense?

   • A. Yellow card
   • B. Red card
   • C. Blue card
   • D. Orange card
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   B. Red card — A red card results in an immediate ejection and the team plays a player short for the rest of the match.

4. 4. What is the standard shape of a football pitch?

   • A. Circular
   • B. Rectangular
   • C. Square
   • D. Oval
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   B. Rectangular — Football is played on a rectangular pitch, longer than it is wide.

5. 5. How long is the standard half-time break in a professional football match?

   • A. 5 minutes
   • B. 15 minutes
   • C. 25 minutes
   • D. 30 minutes
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   B. 15 minutes — Teams get a 15-minute break between the two 45-minute halves.

6. 6. A player is offside if they are nearer the goal line than both the ball and which opponent?

   • A. The last opponent
   • B. The second-last opponent
   • C. The goalkeeper
   • D. The nearest defender
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   B. The second-last opponent — Law 11 uses the second-last opponent, which is usually — but not always — the last outfield defender.

   Did you know? You can't be offside directly from a goal kick, throw-in or corner kick.

7. 7. At which men's World Cup was VAR (Video Assistant Referee) first used?

   • A. 2010
   • B. 2014
   • C. 2018
   • D. 2022
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   C. 2018 — VAR debuted at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

   Did you know? The first World Cup penalty awarded via VAR went to France against Australia.