The Players’ Equipment

1. Safety

Equipment and anything worn must be safe. Non-dangerous accessories are permitted if securely and safely covered. Dangerous items must be removed; covering or taping them is insufficient.

Inspect players before kick-off and substitutes before entry. Order unsafe or unauthorised items removed; a player unable or unwilling to comply must leave at the next stoppage. Refusal or wearing the item again earns a caution.

2. Required equipment

Required separate items are a sleeved shirt, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear. Shinguards must provide reasonable protection, use suitable material, be appropriately sized and be covered by socks; the player is responsible for their suitability and size.

External sock tape or material must match the covered part’s colour. The captain wears an organiser-issued or approved armband, or a single-colour armband optionally bearing a single-colour C, captain or translation.

Accidentally lost footwear or a shinguard must be replaced promptly, no later than the next time the ball goes out. A goal scored or assisted through playing the ball before replacement remains valid.

3. Colours

Teams must be distinguishable from each other and the officials. Each goalkeeper must differ from other players and officials; if both goalkeepers have matching shirts and no alternatives, the match may proceed.

Undershirts must match the sleeve’s main colour or exactly reproduce its pattern and colours. Undershorts or tights must match the shorts’ main colour or lowest part; teammates must use the same colour.

4. Other equipment and electronics

Safe protective equipment such as soft, lightweight padded headgear, masks and limb protectors is permitted, as are gloves, sports spectacles and goalkeeper caps. Goalkeepers may wear tracksuit bottoms.

Head covers other than goalkeeper caps must be black or the shirt’s main colour, with teammates matching; they must look appropriate, remain unattached to the shirt and contain no dangerous fastening or protrusion.

Players, substitutes, replaced players and sent-off players may not use electronic or communication devices except authorised EPTS. Team officials may use small mobile devices for welfare, safety or tactical/coaching purposes. Unauthorised use or resulting inappropriate conduct brings a sending-off.

Official-competition wearable EPTS must be safe and meet FIFA Quality Programme requirements. If organisers supply EPTS, they are responsible for the reliability and accuracy of data sent to the technical area.

5. Messages and advertising

Equipment may not carry political, religious or personal messages or images. Undergarments may not display these or advertising beyond the manufacturer’s logo. The organiser, association or FIFA sanctions breaches.

The principles cover players, substitutes and replaced players, and also team officials in the technical area. Usually permitted are player names and numbers, team crests, football/respect/integrity initiatives, authorised advertising and match facts. Approved messages should be on the shirt front and/or armband; some may be limited to the captain’s armband.

Offensive, insulting, abusive, provocative, derisory or inflammatory messages are not allowed. Prohibited political subjects include people unless part of an official competition name, political organisations, governments and departments, discriminatory organisations, organisations likely to offend many people, and specific political acts or events.

Consider opponents, supporters and the public when commemorating events. Competition rules may add restrictions on size, number and location; settle disputes before the match where possible.

6. Correcting equipment and returning

Play need not stop for an equipment offence. Tell the player to correct it; they leave at the next stoppage unless it has already been corrected. After leaving to change or correct equipment, a match official must check it and the referee must authorise re-entry, which may occur during play.

Unauthorised re-entry earns a caution. If play stops solely for that caution, restart with an indirect free kick at the ball’s position; if the player interferes, award a direct free kick or penalty at the interference.