A football team has 11 players, but the roles they play vary enormously. Understanding positions helps you follow tactics, transfer news and team selections. Here is a guide to every main role.

Goalkeeper

The only player allowed to use their hands, inside their own penalty area. Modern goalkeepers are also expected to pass well and start attacks. Examples: Manuel Neuer, Alisson Becker, Thibaut Courtois.

Defenders

• Centre-back: defends the middle, wins headers and blocks shots. Many now play out from the back with accurate passing. Examples: Virgil van Dijk, Ruben Dias.
• Full-back: defends on the right or left flank and supports attacks with overlapping runs. Examples: Achraf Hakimi, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
• Wing-back: a more attacking full-back used in systems with three centre-backs.
• Sweeper: a traditional free defender behind the line, rare in modern football.

Midfielders

• Defensive midfielder (number 6): protects the defence, breaks up attacks and keeps possession. Examples: Rodri, Declan Rice.
• Central midfielder (number 8): covers ground in both directions, linking defence and attack. Examples: Pedri, Federico Valverde.
• Attacking midfielder (number 10): plays between the lines, creating chances with passes and dribbles. Examples: Kevin De Bruyne, Jude Bellingham.

Forwards

• Winger: attacks down the flanks, dribbles past full-backs and crosses or cuts inside to shoot. Examples: Vinicius Junior, Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah.
• Striker (number 9): the main goalscorer, leading the line and finishing chances. Examples: Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski.
• False 9: a forward who drops deep to create space and overload midfield. Lionel Messi made the role famous at Barcelona.

How positions change with formations

The same player can have very different duties depending on the system. A winger in a 4-3-3 might become a wing-back in a 3-5-2. Find out how teams line up in our football formations guide.

Shirt numbers

Traditionally, numbers 1 to 11 matched positions: 1 for the goalkeeper, 2 to 5 for defenders, 6 to 8 and 10 for midfielders, and 7, 9 and 11 for attackers. Squad numbers are now fixed for the season, but terms like “number 6” and “number 10” are still used to describe roles. New to the game? Read our offside rule explainer.