Laws of the Game

The original Laws have changed only marginally over the years.

Today's 17 Laws continue to be based upon the rules that were first ratified by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) when it was founded in 1886.

Changes have occurred in accordance with the specific evolution and demands of modern-day football, but the key element remains of football being seen as essentially a simple game, with laws that can be applied in the same way at any level from the World Cup Final to a friendly game on a local park.

You can read all the laws of the game by clicking on any of the links below. We also give you details of the laws that apply to small-sided football and mini-soccer...

The FIFA Laws of the Game

• Law 1 - The Field of Play
• Law 2 - The Ball
• Law 3 - The Number of Players
• Law 4 - The Players' Equipment
• Law 5 - The Referee
• Law 6 - The Assistant Referees
• Law 7 - Duration of the Match
• Law 8 - The Start & Restart of Play
• Law 9 - The Ball In & Out of Play
• Law 10 - The Method of Scoring
• Law 11 - Offside
• Law 12 - Fouls & Misconduct
• Law 13 - Free Kicks
• Law 14 - The Penalty Kick
• Law 15 - The Throw-In
• Law 16 - The Goal Kick
• Law 17 - The Corner Kick

• Laws of Small Sided Football
  for an abridged version with rules of concern to participants
• Laws for Mini Soccer
  

Download a copy of FIFA's Laws of the Game booklet

Download Adobe Acrobat, here