Image: Wiki Commons by Marcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil
About This Quiz
While its popularity in the USA is still behind sports like football and basketball, there is no doubting that soccer is the most popular sport on the planet. There are billions of soccer fans all over the world, each passionate and invested in their respective teams or countries.
And if you are talking about soccer around the world, you have to mention FIFA. FIFA (which stands for the International Federation of Association Football) is the governing body of association football/soccer. It is responsible for most of the major tournaments in the sport including the World Cup, which is arguably the most popular and loved sports event on the planet.
While everyone has their favorite team, country or player to cheer for, how much do you actually know about the rules of FIFA? Do you know the dimensions of the field? How about how many substitutions a team is allowed? Knowing the rules of the game is something that many people pride themselves on, but few actually know about. With that in mind, we have decided to craft a quiz all about FIFA rules.
This quiz will test your knowledge on FIFA and soccer, and there will be a wide range of different types of questions to answer. Without any further ado, get ready to test your knowledge on the rules of FIFA. How many do you think you can get right?
What is the required height for corner flagposts?
No less than 5 feet
Corner flagposts are used when a team takes a corner kick and to mark each corner of the field. These must be at least 5 feet tall, and cannot be sharp on the top. They are compulsory for all FIFA-official fields.
They can be any height
Between 1-5 feet
Around 3 feet
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How heavy is the ball required to be before a game?
14-16 ounces
There are many rules about the soccer ball and how large and heavy it might be. The ball must have a circumference of between 68-70 cm and weigh between 14-16 oz at the start of a match. The ball may deflate a bit during the game, which is why they measure at the start.
7-9 ounces
20-25 ounces
25-30 ounces
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What occurs if a ball explodes or becomes defective during a game?
The ball needs to get fixed.
The game is postponed.
The home team gets to start with the new ball.
A new ball is dropped at the place where the last ball exploded.
While it is relatively uncommon, there are some times during FIFA games where the ball might explode or become defective. If that is the case, a replacement ball is used and is dropped at the spot where the last one was destroyed.
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How many players are on the field during a game per team?
7
5
11
A soccer game takes place between two teams, each with 11 players on the field (including goalies). The other 10 players on each team are made up of forwards, midfielders and a defense.
13
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When does a goal kick happen?
When a goalie picks up the ball
When the offensive team holds the ball for too long
When the offensive team gets a hand ball in the box
When the offensive team plays the ball over the defender's goal line without scoring.
Goal kicks normally happen when the attacking team misses a shot and kicks the ball over the defensive teams' goal line. The goalie can then go retrieve the ball and place the ball on the first line of the goal area and kick it back into play.
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Which of these is something referees shouldn't use body language for?
To help control the match
To show authority and self-control
To explain a decision
Body language is very important for refs in all types of sports. You need to remain in control of the game and show the players that you are not going to be pushed around or walked all over.
They are all good reasons to use body language.
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Is there a limit to how much stoppage time can be added to the end of a half/game?
5 minutes
10 minutes
7 minutes
There is no set limit.
There is no official rule for how much stoppage time can be added by a referee at the end of a half. Generally, it is around 3-5 minutes or so, depending how many stoppages take place during the half.
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The minimum amount of players that a team needs to be able to play is ...
11
7
While a full team of players would be 11, it is actually possible for a team to play with as little as 7. While most teams will have enough substitutes to never have to play with 7, it is possible.
12
1
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How many substitutions (per team) can be made during an official competition match?
6
3
While many teams may elect to keep the same 11 players on the pitch for the duration of a game, there is the option to make a total of three substitutions. If the game is not in official competition, the number is six.
0
There is no limit
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Which colors can official FIFA soccer goals (goal posts and crossbar) be?
They must be black.
They must be white.
Goals must be white in color, no matter where your field or stadium is located. Some fields will, of course, have different colored posts, but they will not be able to host official FIFA matches.
They can be any color.
They must match your official team colors.
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When does a ref not use their whistle?
When a goal is scored
While the whistle is incredibly important most of the time during a FIFA soccer game, they are actually not needed when a goal is scored. If a whistle is used too much when it doesn't need to be, it can have less impact during the actual important moments.
To start play after a goal or the start of a new half
To stop play for a free kick
To restart play after a substitution
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What surfaces can games be played on?
Artificial turf
Natural grass
Either natural or artificial surfaces
Official FIFA games must be played on either natural grass or artificial turf. The choice depends on things like how much maintenance a stadium wants to perform, costs and weather.
Natural in the southern hemisphere and real in the northern
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How large is the radius of the center circle on the field?
10 yards
The halfway line on a soccer field features a center circle that has a radius of 10 yards. This circle is where each half of a game starts, and it indicates how far back opposing players must stand at kick off.
25 yards
2 yards
18 yards
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What happens if the ball hits a ref or assistant ref during game play?
The game is stopped and a goal kick is given.
The game continues as normal.
If a player kicks a ball that accidentally hits a ref, the play continues on as normal. The refs are considered part of the match, so hitting them with the ball is just like hitting another player with the ball.
The game is stopped and the team that kicked the ball at the ref is penalized.
A dropped ball
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When was goal-line technology first introduced and used in games?
1999
2012
Goal-line technology has been used in games since 2012. This technology helps refs to determine if a goal has been scored or not. It will let refs know if a ball has completely crossed the goal line or not.
2005
2014
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Can any player on the bench be substituted into a FIFA game?
Yes
No, only players who played in the last game
No, only the ones whose names were given to the ref before the match
Before any game, a team must provide the ref with a list of players who may potentially enter the game as subs. This list can be as short as three people, but can be up to twelve. These are the only players that will be available to sub in.
No, only players who have been signed to the team for a full month
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How does an assistant referee signify a play that is offside?
They yell the call.
Blow the whistle
Run into the play waving their hands and screaming
They raise their flag.
When a play is offside, the assistant ref will hold up their arm with a flag in hand. This signifies to everyone that an offside has occurred. After that, an indirect free kick is awarded to the defending team.
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Which is not a basic requirement for a foul?
It must be committed by a player.
A player is hurt.
There are a wide range of things that can be counted as fouls such as sliding, tripping, unsportsmanlike behavior and diving. An injury isn't required for a foul to be called, as it is the action, not the result, that is penalized.
It must occur on the field of play.
The ball must be in play.
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How long can a goalkeeper hold the ball in their hands during play?
No more than 6 seconds
While goalies are allowed to use their hands, they are only allowed to hold and control the ball for a period of less than six seconds. If they exceed that, the opposing team will be awarded an indirect free kick.
As long as they want
No more than 10 seconds
No more than 30 seconds
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Officially, how wide is a goal?
10 yards
3 yards
8 yards
Soccer goalies have a tough job, as they have to protect a goal that is 8 yards wide from post to post. In addition to that, there is 8 feet from the ground to the bottom of the crossbar.
6 yards
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What type of jewelry are players allowed to wear during FIFA games?
None is allowed.
While many players may usually wear jewelry, it is not allowed during the game. This is for safety reasons as the jewelry could potentially hurt others or the individual wearing it.
Necklaces
Bracelets
Earrings
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How many assistant referees are there during a FIFA game?
None, just the main referee
Two
In addition to the main referee, most games also include two assistant referees. These people are responsible for controlling and monitoring the game, and making sure everyone abides by the rules.
Four
Three
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How many languages are the laws of the game published in by FIFA?
12
4
The laws of the game are written in four different languages, which are English, French, German and Spanish. If there is any bit of divergent wording, the English text is authoritative.
1
2
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What are the rules about the color of the field?
Differs from country to country
It must be green.
While natural grass is, of course, green, games are allowed to be played on artificial turf. This turf can technically be made any color, but FIFA requires all field surfaces to be green.
It can be any color.
It must be green, blue or white.
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Each half of an official FIFA match is ...
1 hour long
30 minutes long
90 minutes long
45 minutes long
Each half during a soccer game is 45 minutes, with potentially a few minutes of stoppage time depending on the events of the game. Games can be shorter if the teams and officials agree to alter their durations.
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What is a red card?
A card signifying a scored goal
A penalty card that warns players of their behavior
A penalty card that signifies a player is ejected
If a player is shown the red card by a ref, they have been ejected from a game. This is usually because of a serious offense (usually violent or deliberate), or if they got two yellow cards in the same game.
Shown to signify a play was offside
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A ball touches the out of bounds line, but doesn't fully cross, what happens?
It is a live ball and still in play.
Every sport is different in their out of bounds rule, and in FIFA soccer games, the ball must be completely over the line. Even if it is 95% over the line, it is still technically a live ball and the game will not stop.
It is out of bounds.
The play is blown dead the a goal kick is awarded.
The first team to touch the ball gets a free kick.
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When is a corner kick awarded?
When the ball goes over the back goal line (off the defending team), without a goal being scored
If a ball is kicked past the goal line by the defending team, without a goal being scored, the attacking team is given a corner kick. These are generally better than throw-ins as they go much faster and travel a longer distance.
When the ball goes out of bounds by the corner
When a team wants one instead of a throw-in
Each team will be given one at random by the ref.
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What is the difference between a direct and indirect free kick?
Direct is shot at the net and indirect is not
Direct is only if a red card is shown, indirect if not
Direct can be scored directly, while indirect kicks must touch another player first
In order for a player to score directly from a free kick, it must be a direct free kick. If an indirect free kick hits another player and then goes in, it too will count as a goal. The ref will make the distinction so players know which type of kick they have.
Direct kicks cannot be blocked and indirect kicks can.
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What happens if a player is injured during a game?
Play is always stopped.
Play continues, unless the player is believed to be seriously injured.
If an injury is considered minor, play will continue until it is stopped for another reason such as a foul, goal or the ball is out of bounds. However, if the ref believes a player is badly injured or a foul occurred on the play, it can be stopped.
Play never stops for an injury.
The team has to use an injury timeout.
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How much "extra time" is given in a tie game if a winner is needed?
Two 15-minute periods
While most of the time soccer games can end in a tie, there are some games that need a decisive winner. If the game is tied after the 90 minutes, two periods of 15 minutes will be played. If that doesn't settle anything, a shootout of penalty kicks will occur.
One 15-minute period
One 45-minute period
Two 5-minute periods
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The goal area extends into play ...
19 yards
2 yards
15 yards
6 yards
The goal area extends six yards into play and is also a little bit wider than the goal posts themselves. The first line signifies the start of the goal area and is the line where the ball is placed during a goal kick.
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Which is not a rule about shinguards?
They must be rubber, plastic or other acceptable material.
They need to be covered halfway by your socks.
The shinguards are the only type of basic protective equipment that all players in FIFA games are required to wear. They must be completely covered by your socks and must be made of a suitable material.
They need to offer a reasonable amount of protection.
They are the only protective equipment required by FIFA.
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When a player is substituted into a game, where do they enter the field of play?
It doesn't matter.
At one of the four corner flagposts
At the halfway line
If a player is to enter the game as a sub, they need to do it at the halfway line. In addition to that, the player must not enter the field until the player he is replacing has left and signaled to the ref.
From behind their goal
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How wide are the various lines on a soccer field?
No smaller than 8 inches
No more than an inch
No more than 10 inches
No more than 5 inches
A soccer field is made up of a variety of different lines including touch lines, goal lines a center line and more. These lines can be no wider than 5 inches (or 12 cm) or the field doesn't abide by the rules.
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You Got:
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