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Football · Laws of the Game

Law 2: The Ball

1 parts · 2 tests · 20 facts · updated 15 October 2026 · markdown

Law 2 sets the qualities of the ball: spherical, of suitable material, 68-70 cm round, 410-450 g at the start of the match and inflated to 0.6-1.1 atmosphere at sea level. Balls in official FIFA and confederation competitions must bear a FIFA Quality Programme mark, and commercial advertising on the ball is limited to the competition's and the manufacturer's marks. A ball that becomes defective in play is replaced and play restarts with a dropped ball; at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in the restart is retaken. The ball may not be changed without the referee's permission, and additional balls may be placed around the field under the referee's control.

2.21Qualities, measurements and replacing the ball

Everything about the ball: its size, weight and pressure at the start of the match, the FIFA Quality Programme marks, advertising on the ball, replacing a defective ball and the additional balls placed around the field.

Test 1Size, weight, pressure and a defective ballTake a test

  5. Law 2: if the ball becomes defective during play, play is stopped and restarted by dropping the replacement ball.

  8. If the ball becomes defective after a penalty kick is taken, moving forwards and before it touches a player, the crossbar or the goalposts, the kick is retaken.

  10. Additional balls that meet Law 2 may be placed around the field (B), and their use is under the referee's control; none may lie on the field itself (A, C, D).

Test 2Replacing the ball and quality marksTake a test

  1. If the ball becomes defective at a kick-off, goal kick, corner kick, free kick, penalty kick or throw-in, that restart is retaken.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

  2. The kick had not produced play yet, so a replacement ball comes on and the free kick is taken again.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

  3. The penalty is retaken only if the ball becomes defective while moving forward before touching a player, the crossbar or the goalposts; afterwards it is an ordinary stoppage with a dropped ball.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

  4. The ball may not be changed during the match without the referee's permission.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · recall

  5. FIFA and confederation competitions must use balls bearing one of the marks, and national FA competitions may require them too.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · recall

  6. Each mark shows the ball has been officially tested and meets specific requirements that go beyond the minimum specifications of Law 2.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · recall

  7. In official FIFA, confederation or national FA competitions only the competition logo, the organiser's logo and the authorised manufacturer's trademark may appear; regulations may limit their size and number.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · recall

  8. Nothing counts from a restart spoiled by a faulty ball: the referee halts it and has it taken afresh.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

  9. The requirements behind each mark are approved by The IFAB; a ball that passes the official tests carries the mark, as FIFA and confederation competitions require.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

  10. Every ball must be spherical and made of suitable material, so only C qualifies; an oval (A), an egg shape (B) or a rounded cube (D) is not spherical.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 · applied

Sources

IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 2 (paraphrased in original wording)

  • IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 210