Ever heard someone mention “the Number 10” or “play it to the Number 9” and wondered what it all means? Soccer position numbers aren’t just numbers on a jersey—they define the traditional positions, roles and even a player’s responsibilities on the field.
However, with the development of larger squads in the modern professional game, the numbers on the back of the jerseys have evolved and it’s common to see players simply wearing their favorite numbers no matter the relevance to their actual position on the field.
In this guide, we’ll break down each number, explore its role, and highlight legendary players for each position. We’ll also dive into why understanding position numbers is crucial in the U.S. soccer landscape and how it differs from the international scene. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to understand the game like a pro.
What Are Soccer Position Numbers?
Soccer position numbers (1-11) refer to specific roles on the field and the corresponding play wears that number on the back of their jersey. Numbers for each team traditionally run 1 to 11 as there are 11 players on each team.
They help coaches and players organize a team based on tactics, skills, and responsibilities. Traditionally, each number has a specific role:
- Goalkeeper (1)
- Right and Left Backs (2, 3)
- Center-Backs (4, 5)
- Defensive Midfielder (6)
- Central Midfielder (8)
- Wingers (7, 11)
- Attacking Midfielder (10)
- Striker (9)
Each of these numbers represents a distinct position that requires specific skills and tactical understanding.
It’s worth pointing out that the set of positions above is based on a 4-4-2 formation but when numbers first began to be used, teams played in different formations so there has been an evolution over time.
Breaking Down Soccer Position Numbers by Role
Let’s dive into each position, exploring its role, key skills, and some legendary players who defined each position.
Goalkeeper (1)
- Role: The backbone of defense, responsible for saving shots, organizing the backline, and starting plays from the back.
- Key Skills: Reflexes, communication, positioning, and agility.
- Legendary Players: Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon, Hope Solo.
- Pro Tip: Goalkeepers should work on reaction training and penalty practice to build confidence and quick decision-making.
In U.S. youth leagues, goalkeepers are often the team’s vocal leader, guiding defenders to maintain shape and awareness.
Right Back (2) and Left Back (3)
- Role: Wing defenders who prevent opposing wingers from breaking through the flanks and support offensive plays.
- Key Skills: Speed, stamina, crossing ability, tackling.
- Legendary Players: Cafu (Right Back), Ashley Cole (Left Back), Dani Alves.
- Pro Tip: Right and left backs should practice endurance drills to maintain pace throughout the match and focus on quick recovery runs after offensive moves.
Right and left backs are usually trained to be as offensive as defensive, contributing to both ends of the field by crossing the ball from the wings into the attacking penalty box.
Center-Backs (4 and 5)
- Role: The core of the defense, tasked with stopping attackers, winning aerial battles, and organizing the backline.
- Key Skills: Strength, reading the game, tackling, aerial dominance.
- Legendary Players: Paolo Maldini, Sergio Ramos, Franz Beckenbauer.
- Pro Tip: Center-backs should develop strong communication skills to coordinate with the goalkeeper and fullbacks, creating a cohesive defensive unit.
Center-backs often have a dual role, stepping forward to intercept and even supporting midfield plays. They are often taller than most other players and will go up for corners should their team win one.
Defensive Midfielder (6)
- Role: Connects defense with offense, disrupts opposition attacks, and supports in retaining possession.
- Key Skills: Tackling, spatial awareness, passing under pressure, composure.
- Legendary Players: Claude Makélélé, N’Golo Kanté, Sergio Busquets.
- Pro Tip: Defensive midfielders should focus on intercepting drills and maintaining awareness of opposing players, especially those in the “10” position who aim to break through defenses.
Coaching philosophy often trains defensive midfielders to hold their ground while also looking for quick transition opportunities.
Central Midfielder (8)
- Role: All-rounder; balances defense and attack, maintains possession, and distributes passes.
- Key Skills: Stamina, ball control, passing range, game vision.
- Legendary Players: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Luka Modric.
- Pro Tip: Central midfielders benefit from agility drills and passing under pressure, as they’re often in high-traffic areas with limited space.
The central midfielder’s role often includes tracking back defensively and distributing long balls forward meaning they often cover the highest amount of distance within a game.
Attacking Midfielder (10)
- Role: Playmaker responsible for creating goal-scoring opportunities and linking midfield with forwards.
- Key Skills: Creativity, dribbling, shooting accuracy, decision-making.
- Legendary Players: Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Zinedine Zidane.
- Pro Tip: Attacking midfielders should practice on-ball skills and situational awareness, especially in tight spaces near the opponent’s goal.
The Number 10 is a high-impact role, often carrying the creative responsibility of the team.
Wingers (7 and 11)
- Role: Attack from the sides, providing width, delivering crosses, and cutting in for shots.
- Key Skills: Speed, dribbling, crossing accuracy, stamina.
- Legendary Players: George Best (7), Ryan Giggs (11), Cristiano Ronaldo (7).
- Pro Tip: Wingers should practice crossing and one-on-one dribbling to break past defenders and deliver dangerous balls into the box.
Youth coaches train wingers to stretch the field, creating space for central players and providing outlets on the attack.
Striker (9)
- Role: Main goal-scorer, positioned close to the opponent’s goal and focused on finishing chances.
- Key Skills: Finishing, positioning, heading, physicality.
- Legendary Players: Harry Kane, Robert Lewandowski, Romario.
- Pro Tip: Strikers should train on one-touch finishes, heading, and shooting with both feet.
The Number 9 Striker often receives the most training in finishing, positioning, and situational awareness.
Modern Squad Numbers
In the modern professional game the squad system is used extensively. Teams rely on a larger pool of players through the course of a season. In the English Premier League, clubs name a squad of 25 players and in the MLS it’s up to 30.
Each player must be given a squad number as long as it’s between 1-99 and nobody else in the same squad has the same number.
So even if teams wanted to stick to the traditional 1-11 system it would be impossible to do so every game throughout the season due to injuries, substitutions and suspensions.
As the squad system became commonplace in the 1990s players quickly had more freedom to request a number that meant something to them.
- Phil Foden (47). A tribute to his late grandfather who passed away aged 47.
- Bixtene Lizazaru (69). Was born in 1969.
- Mario Ballotelli (45). 4 and 5 = 9 which is traditionally the number assigned to a striker.
Confusion
The development of the squad numbering system and new tactical formations leads to a perfect storm of confusion, especially those new to the sport.
Many within the game such as TV commentators and coaches will refer to the traditional soccer position numbers without hesitation even though many players no longer wear a jersey with that same number.
For example Harry Kane, a prolific striker will often drop deeper into midfield during games in order to get possession of the ball. This has been described as Kane playing as number 10.
Wingers will often swap sides during a game in order to confuse the opposing defense. Therefore the 7 is playing on the left wing, when traditionally the number 7 is a right winger.
Where is a number 47, 66 or 87 supposed to play? It could be anywhere so coaches will then refer to traditional positions in order to give some clarity to an individuals role. “He’s playing as a 6.” or “Today she’s in the number 10 role but she can also play as an 8.”
History of Soccer Position Numbers
A numbering system for players developed over a fairly long time – it was certainly not a quick or consistent approach.
Numbered jerseys in football have an interesting history, with their first recorded use in 1911 by Australian teams Sydney Leichardt and HMS Powerful. A year later, New South Wales mandated jersey numbers. In England, squad numbers appeared in 1914 when the English Wanderers faced Corinthians at Stamford Bridge, a match marking Corinthians’ return to the FA.
Argentina became the first South American country to see player numbers, when the Scottish team Third Lanark introduced the concept in a 1923 tour.
The U.S. saw its first numbered jerseys in 1924 during a National Challenge Cup match, where only one team wore numbers. Europe formally adopted numbered jerseys in 1928, with Arsenal, Chelsea, and other English teams assigning numbers based on field positions, allowing spectators to easily identify players.
Press reviews praised this innovation, predicting its long-term impact on the game. Chelsea later popularized the practice during a South American tour, earning the nickname “Los Numerados.”
In 1933, the FA Cup Final between Everton and Manchester City followed similar number assignments, though mandatory numbering across England’s Football League wasn’t enforced until the 1939–40 season. Numbering evolved alongside formations, with certain positions, like central defenders, retaining traditional numbers (e.g., 5 for defenders).
The FIFA World Cup introduced squad numbers in 1950, but players weren’t assigned permanent tournament numbers until 1954. Since then, the numbered jersey has become a defining feature of football, representing both positions and player identities across generations.
Position Numbers 9v9
In smaller sided 9v9 games it’s useful to keep a traditional numbering system even though the full 11 positions are not used.
All formations will use a goal keeper so it’s assumed that Number 1 is the goalkeeper throughout. The eight remaining players are outfield.
3-3-2 This formation sets the team up to be solid defensively.
| 2 | Right Back |
| 3 | Left Back |
| 4 | Center Back |
| 6 | Defensive Central Midfielder |
| 7 | Right Wing |
| 11 | Left Wing |
| 10 | Attacking Central Midfielder |
| 9 | Striker |
Position Numbers 7v7
7v7 Soccer is often used at age U9 to U11 to aid development and give younger players more involvement in the game.
2-3-1 This formation sets the team up to dominate the midfield.
| 4 and 5 | Center Backs |
| 6 and 8 | Defensive Midfielders |
| 10 | Attacking Central midfielder |
| 9 | Striker |
Conclusion
Understanding soccer position numbers is a game-changer for players, coaches, parents, and fans. Whether you’re training to become the next “Number 9” or coaching a team of young “Number 7s,” knowing these numbers can elevate game understanding and skills. Now, it’s your turn—what’s your favorite soccer position, and which players inspire you?
FAQs
Why is the Number 10 considered so special?
The Number 10 is often the “playmaker,” responsible for creating opportunities. It’s a position held by some of soccer’s greatest legends, like Maradona and Messi.
Can a player change position numbers during their career?
Yes, players can change positions and numbers. For example, many wingers (7 and 11) sometimes transition to attacking midfielders (10) as they develop new skills.
Does understanding positions really help young players?
Absolutely. Knowing position numbers gives players insight into their responsibilities, improving teamwork and tactical awareness.
What does the number 5 represent in soccer position numbers?
The number 5 typically represents the center back or sweeper position, which acts as a last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper.
How do soccer numbers correspond to player positions?
Soccer numbers are often associated with specific positions; for example, the number 1 is for the goalkeeper, number 2 for the fullback, and number 9 for the striker, among others.
What is the significance of the winger position?
The winger, usually wearing numbers like 7 or 11, plays an offensive position on the flanks, providing width to the attack and often delivering crosses into the box.
How is the midfield structured in various formations?
A: In formations like 4-3-3 or 3-5-2, the midfield may include roles such as holding midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, and playmaker, each with specific responsibilities in both attack and defense.
How does the number system in soccer vary by league?
While many leagues follow traditional numbering, such as Major League Soccer and Manchester United, variations may occur based on club traditions or player preferences, allowing for higher numbers to be used in specific positions.
What does the term ‘holding midfielder’ refer to?
he holding midfielder, typically wearing number 6, plays a crucial role in linking defense and attack, often tasked with breaking up opposition plays and maintaining possession in the middle of the field.
Are there any restrictions on soccer jersey numbers?
Generally, players are allowed to use numbers from 1 to 99, but specific jersey numbers are often reserved for certain positions, influencing how teams designate their soccer player numbers.
What does the term ‘box-to-box midfielder’ mean in soccer?
A box-to-box midfielder, often wearing number 8, is a versatile player who contributes to both defensive and offensive plays, effectively covering the entire length of the field.
