Soccer Rules – Governing Bodies

Below you will find links to many of the worlds largest Soccer Rules Organizations and Governing Bodies. Click on the links below for more information about the organizations listed.

Basic Rules of Soccer :

Soccer is a game in which two teams of 11 players (one of whom is the goal keeper) try to kick or head a ball into the opponents’ goal. Players score a goal when they succeed in moving the whole ball over the opposing team’s goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar. Players may use any part of their body except their arms and hands. Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the national associations. The ball is out of play when it has wholly crossed the goal line or touch line – whether on the ground or in the air – and when play has been stopped by the referee. The game is controlled by one Referee on the playing field and two assistant referees placed on opposite touchlines. The winning team is the one which has scored the most goals at the end of the game. The duration of an official match is 90 minutes played in two halves – each half lasting 45 minutes.