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About This Quiz
"The thing about soccer - the important thing about soccer - is that it is not just about soccer." - Terry PratchettÂ
Rules, teamwork, and sportsmanship; so many things go into a game of soccer, and to make it as a referee, especially as a World Cup referee, it is important to understand all aspects of the game. Do you think you could fake your way as a World Cup referee? We've put this quiz together to help you find out.Â
The World Cup is the highest stage for a soccer player. It's the Super Bowl of the soccer world. It's when the dreams of players finally culminate in an opportunity to win a championship, as the best soccer players in the world are pitted against one another. It's also the height of the profession for a soccer referee. For a soccer referee to be chosen for the World Cup, it means they have put in a significant amount of work to make sure they are doing their job at the highest level.Â
Are you capable of doing a referee's job at that same level? Can you handle the pressure of ensuring the greatest team in the world wins? If you think you can, take this quiz and prove it!Â
How long is a soccer game?
40 minutes
90 minutes
Star players, of course, do impact the game. After all, it's obvious when one player is head and shoulders above the others.
120 minutes
180 minutes
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Who can add time to a soccer game?
The referee
The first World Cup took place in 1930. Thirteen teams entered the tournament.
A coach
The team captain
Anyone
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Players can't wear what?
Tape
Jewelry​
The closest Russia has come to winning a World Cup is fourth place in 1966. Their first year in the tournament was 1958.
Shin guards
Undershirts
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A soccer game is broken up into what?
Quarters
Halves
Uruguay has only won one additional World Cup since 1930. That occurred in 1950, when Brazil hosted the tournament.
Thirds
It's not
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Which position has to wear different colors than the other players?
Goalkeeper
Italy and Germany are behind Brazil for the most World Cup titles. They each have four.
Right midfielder
Right back
Striker
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How many players are allowed on the field for a team at one time?
5
7
11
Soccer is definitely a team sport. Many times, the greatest players don't win championships.
15
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What's in the middle of the field?
Centre box
Centre square
Centre circle
Brazil has never won a World Cup at home. The team has won titles in Chile, Mexico and the United States.
Centre diamond
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Who's the only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands?
Goalkeeper
No team has more losses in the World Cup than Mexico. They've lost 25 times.
Striker
Forward
Midfielder
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What is given as a disciplinary sanction?
A flag
A card
Oleg Salenko's five goals came during the 1994 World Cup against Cameroon. Russia won the game 6-1.
A hat
A towel
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What color card means a player is being sent off?
Red
No Asian team has ever won the World Cup. The first Asian team to compete in the World Cup was Indonesia in 1938.
Green
Brown
White
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What color card means a player is cautioned?
Green
Blue
Yellow
The World Cup has been hosted in Europe 11 times. The 2018 World Cup is the first time it has been hosted in Eastern Europe.
Red
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Where is an indirect free kick taken from?
The penalty circle
The goal line
Out of bounds
The place where the offense occurred​
Oleg Salenko holds the record for most goals in a World Cup match with five. He played for Russia.
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How does a soccer game start?
A tip-off
A toss-up
A drop-off
A kick-off
Germany defeated Argentina in the final 1-0 in 2014. With the tournament hosted by Brazil, this was the first time a European team won in the Americas.
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What determines who starts with the ball?
A coin flip
2014 was also the first time Germany won a World Cup since the country was reunified in 1990. Their previous title came in 1990 as West Germany.
The home team
The away team
A shoot out
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What is it called if a player is nearer to their opponent's goal line than the ball and the second-last opponent?
Downfield
Upfield
Offside
The 2002 World Cup was hosted by South Korea and Japan. This was the first time two countries hosted the tournament.
Passing
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What's NOT a reason for adding time to a soccer game?
Goals
Substitutions
Injuries
Inferior team
Uruguay hosted the first World Cup. They also won the tournament, with Argentina coming in second place.
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Is a red card given for spitting at an opponent?
Yes
Indonesia only played one game in the 1938 World Cup. They were eliminated by Hungary after a 6-0 loss.
No
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Where does a substitute player enter from?
Halfway line
2018 will be the 21st World Cup. Russia will be hosting the tournament.
Own goal line
Opponents goal line
Anywhere
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What is the maximum length for halftime?
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Germany's first World Cup was in 1954. They also won the last World Cup in 2014.
30 minutes
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If a referee has to stop play during a game, how is the game restarted?
A throw in
A rekick
A dropped ball
The United States has never won a World Cup. They have made 10 appearances, though.
A kick-off
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During a free kick, how far must opponents be from the ball?
4 yards
8 yards
10 yards
South Korea has the most World Cup appearances of any Asian country with 10. The country's first appearance was in 1954.
15 yards
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How long can a goalkeeper hold onto the ball?
3 seconds
6 seconds
Mexico has appeared in 16 World Cups. Their best finishes were in 1970 and 1986 when they made it to the quarter-finals.
10 seconds
15 seconds
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Can a kicker touch the ball a second time before another player during a free kick?
Yes
No
In 2014, Lionel Messi received the Golden Ball award. This award is given to the most outstanding player in the World Cup finals.
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When is a ball in play during a free kick?
When the ball touches the ground
When the ball is touched and moves
South Korea's best finish in the World Cup came in 2002. The team finished in fourth place, as Brazil won the title that year.
When a second teammate touches the ball
When the referee blows the whistle
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Is the ball out of play if it touches the goal line or touch line?
Yes
No
The closest the U.S. has come to winning a World Cup was third place. That occurred in the first World Cup in 1930.
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Can a referee overturn a decision after play has restarted?
Yes
No
Italy won its first World Cup in 1934, the team's first year in the tournament. Their latest World Cup was in 2006.
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What is awarded if a player kicks their opponent?
Indirect free kick
Direct free kick
Soccer games can end in a draw, unlike many other sports. No team has had more draws in the World Cup than Italy with 21.
Penalty kick
No goalie kick
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How many assistant referees are allowed?
1
2
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing a playoff game to Sweden. This was the first time they didn't make the World Cup since 1958.
4
5
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Where is a penalty kick taken from?
Penalty point
Penalty line
Penalty mark
Lionel Messi plays for Argentina. He's the country's all-time leading goalscorer.
Penalty arrow
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What are the two lines that run the length of the field called?
Run lines
Boundary lines
Outside lines
Touch lines
Brazil has the most World Cup titles with five. This is partly because they've played in every World Cup since it started.
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When can a player substitute?
Anytime
During halftime
Only after a goal
During a stoppage
Prior to 2018, Russia had never hosted a World Cup. They also have never won a World Cup.
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What does the other team get for an offside offense?
Penalty kick
Turnover
Direct free kick
Indirect free kick
Austria and Switzerland had the highest scoring World Cup in 1954. The final score was 7-5.
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What are the fewest players a team can have on the field?
4
5
7
Soccer is by far the most watched sport in the world. In 2014, over 3 billion people watched the World Cup.
9
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Can a goal be scored directly from a throw in?
Yes
No
Germany's Manuel Neuer was awarded the Golden Glove award after the 2014 World Cup finals. This award is given to the tournament's most outstanding goalkeeper.
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How wide is the soccer goal?
8 yards
Brazil's first World Cup title came in 1958. Sweden hosted the tournament that year.
10 yards
12 yards
15 yards
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You Got:
/35
