Football team facts for kids
A football team is a group of players chosen to play together in different team sports called football. These teams can play against another team in a match. They might represent a football club, a group, a state, or even a whole country. Sometimes, a team is just a made-up group, like a "Dream Team," that never actually plays a game.
It's good to know the difference between a football team and a football club. A football club is like an official organization. It has a group of people who run it, called a committee. The club also has members, which can include fans and players. Being part of a club helps a team a lot. Clubs can provide extra staff, places to practice, and equipment.
What is a Football Team?
There are many types of football around the world. These include association football (which many call soccer), American football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby league, and rugby union. Each type of football has a different number of players on the field at one time.
Sometimes, when people say "team," they only mean the players who are actually playing in a match. But a "football squad" usually means all the players, including those who are substitutes or reserves. It also includes the coaches and other support staff.
Teams and Clubs
People sometimes use the words "team" and "club" to mean the same thing. Usually, they are talking about the main team from a club that plays in the top league. A football club is a type of sports club. It is an organized group that often has a committee, a secretary, a president, and members.
Football clubs usually have rules for how they play. They are also often part of a sports league or association. These leagues are connected to a main sports governing body for their sport. A club might have several teams. These teams could play in different divisions or leagues. The club is responsible for making sure its teams keep playing in their competitions.
Some of the oldest football clubs started way back in the early 1800s. Many clubs are run like businesses and are officially registered. However, many football clubs began as part of bigger groups like schools or other sports clubs. Records for these might not be public unless they played against other teams. A football club might stop playing for a while, like during a war, and then start up again. Clubs can also switch between different types of football. Sadly, a club might close down if it runs out of money or cannot put a team on the field.
How Many Players Are on a Team?
The number of players on the field at the same time can be different for each type of football:
- Association football (Soccer): 11 players
- Seven-a-side football: 7 players
- Indoor soccer: 5-7 players
- Futsal, beach football, five-a-side football: 5 players
- American football: 11 players
- Arena football: 8 players
- Canadian football: 12 players
- Rugby league: 13 players
- Rugby union: 15 players
- Rugby sevens: 7 players
- Gaelic football: 15 players
- Australian rules football: 18 players
Images for kids
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Chelsea's football squad in 1905 pictured with support staff
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The 18 senior players of Port Adelaide Football Club's 1914 Champions of Australia team
