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Football · Laws of the Game

Law 1: Field of Play

2 parts · 9 tests · 90 facts · updated 15 October 2026 · markdown

Law 1 sets out the field of play: a natural or artificial surface, or an integrated combination of the two (a hybrid system), with artificial surfaces green. The field is a rectangle bounded by two touchlines and two goal lines, every line the same width, no more than 12 cm, and part of the area it bounds. It fixes the dimensions (touchline 90-120 m, goal line 45-90 m, narrower limits for international matches), the halfway line, the centre mark and the 9.15 m centre circle, the goal area and the penalty area measured from the inside of the goalposts, the penalty mark 11 m out with its arc, the 1 m corner areas and the flagposts. It also covers the technical area, the goals themselves (7.32 m by 2.44 m), goal-line technology, advertising and the video operation room and referee review area.

1.11Surface, markings, areas and the technical area

The field itself: natural, artificial and hybrid surfaces, the dimensions and lines, the goal, penalty and corner areas, the flagposts, off-field marks and the technical area with the conduct expected of those in it.

Test 1Surfaces and the size of the fieldTake a test

  4. Lines are at most 12 cm wide, the corner arc has a 1 m radius, the goal area reaches 5.5 m into the field and the centre circle has a 9.15 m radius.

  5. The two longer boundary lines are the touchlines (C). B is on a goal line, A on the halfway line and D on the penalty area line.

  10. A goal line is at least 45 m, a touchline at least 90 m (100 m in international matches) and at most 120 m.

Test 2The goal, penalty and corner areasTake a test

  3. The goal area is the small box 5.5 m deep in front of the goal (D). B is in the penalty area outside the goal area, C inside the penalty arc and A by the corner arc.

  5. The goal area line is 5.5 m out, the penalty mark 11 m, the penalty area line 16.5 m, and the arc of radius 9.15 m around the mark peaks about 20.15 m from the goal line.

  10. A quarter circle of 1 m radius is under 1 m²; the goal area is 18.32 x 5.5 m (about 100 m²), the centre circle about 263 m² and the penalty area 40.32 x 16.5 m (about 665 m²).

Test 3Flagposts and the technical areaTake a test

  3. A flagpost must stand at each corner (B). Flagposts at each end of the halfway line, at least 1 m outside the touchline (A), are optional; none goes on the goal line (C) or at the penalty mark (D).

  5. The corner arc has a 1 m radius, a flagpost is at least 1.5 m high, the crossbar's lower edge is 2.44 m from the ground and the posts are 7.32 m apart.

  7. From the corner: the arc ends 1 m along; the penalty area line is 20.16 m from the goal's centre, the goal area line 9.16 m and the post 3.66 m, so they come in that order on any legal pitch.

Test 4Line markings and off-field marksTake a test

  3. Law 1 does not stop play for an unauthorised mark: the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour when the ball next goes out of play.

  4. The penalty arc of radius 9.15 m around the penalty mark bulges out of the penalty area (A). B is inside the centre circle, C in the goal area and D in the penalty area.

  10. The goal area's front line is 18.32 m and the penalty area's 40.32 m; a goal line is 45-90 m and a touchline must be longer than the goal line.

Test 5Shapes of the areas and conduct in the technical areaTake a test

  6. Lines belong to the areas they bound, so the ball on the penalty area line (D) is in the area. B lies outside the line, C on the penalty arc, which is not part of the area, and A beyond the side of the area.

  7. Occupants of the technical area stay within it; in special circumstances, such as a physiotherapist or doctor treating an injured player, they may enter the field with the referee's permission.

  10. In international matches a goal line is 64-75 m and a touchline 100-110 m.

1.12Goals, goal-line technology, advertising and VAR areas

The rest of Law 1: the goals themselves (position, the 7.32 m by 2.44 m frame, permitted shapes, colour and width, nets, a broken crossbar and firmly secured goals), goal-line technology and its one-second signal, the limits on commercial advertising, logos and emblems around the field, and the video operation room and referee review area of matches with VAR.

Test 1Goals and netsTake a test

  1. A goal is placed on the centre of each goal line, its two posts equidistant from the corner flagposts.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  2. The 7.32 m width of the goal is the distance between the inside of the posts.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  3. The 2.44 m is the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  4. The goalposts and crossbar of both goals must be the same shape, chosen from the shapes Law 1 lists.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  5. Posts and crossbar may be square, rectangular, round, elliptical or a hybrid of these, the same for both goals.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  6. Nets may be attached to the goals and to the ground behind them, but they must be properly supported and must not interfere with the goalkeeper.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  7. For safety, goals, portable goals included, must be firmly secured to the ground.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  8. Posts and crossbar are at most 12 cm wide, the lower edge of the bar is 2.44 m up, the posts are 7.32 m apart and the penalty area runs 40.32 m along the goal line.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  9. If the crossbar is displaced or broken, play stops until it has been repaired or replaced in position, then restarts with a dropped ball.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  10. The net (C) may be attached to the goals and to the ground behind the goal, properly supported. A is a goalpost, B the crossbar and D the goal line.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

Test 2The crossbar and goal-line technologyTake a test

  1. A rope or any flexible or dangerous material may not replace the crossbar; if it cannot be repaired the match is abandoned.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  2. Posts and crossbar must be white and have the same width and depth, not exceeding 12 cm.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  3. GLT applies solely to the goal line and is used only to determine whether a goal has been scored.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  4. GLT may be used to support the referee's decision, but its use must be stipulated in the competition rules.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  5. The indication must be immediate and automatically confirmed within one second by the GLT system.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  6. The signal goes only to the match officials (by the referee's watch, by vibration and a visual signal, and/or the headset); it may also go to the video operation room.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  7. Competition organisers must ensure the system, including any permitted changes to the goal frame or ball, meets the FIFA Quality Programme for GLT.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  8. GLT confirms the goal automatically within one second, only to the match officials, to support the referee's decision.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  9. Where GLT is used, the referee tests it before the match; if it does not function as the Testing Manual sets out, it must not be used and the failure is reported.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  10. Play stops until the crossbar is repaired or replaced; if that is impossible the match must be abandoned, and a rope may not stand in for it.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

Test 3Advertising, logos and emblemsTake a test

  1. The ban runs from the teams entering until they leave at half-time, and from their return until the end of the match.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  2. No form of commercial advertising, real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play while the teams are on it.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  3. Advertising is not permitted on the goals, nets, flagposts or their flags.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  4. No extraneous equipment, such as cameras or microphones, may be attached to the goals, nets, flagposts or flags.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  5. Boards beside the pitch keep a 1 m gap from each touchline, the same gap they must keep from the goal net.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  6. Upright advertising must be at least the same distance from the goal line as the depth of the goal net, and at least 1 m from the net.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  7. Logos and emblems of FIFA, confederations, associations, competitions or clubs are forbidden on the field of play, the goals, the nets and the flagposts during playing time.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  8. Upright advertising behind the goal must stand at least as far from the goal line as the net is deep, and at least 1 m from the net.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  9. The touchline belongs to the field; the ground within 1 m of it carries no advertising, and upright boards stand at least 1 m away.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  10. Club and competition emblems may appear on the corner flags (B); the pitch (A, D) and the goal with its net (C) must stay clear of them during playing time.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

Test 4The video operation room and review areaTake a test

  1. In matches using VARs there must be a video operation room (VOR) and at least one referee review area (RRA).

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  2. The VOR is where the video assistant referee, the assistant VAR and the replay operator work.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  3. The VOR may be in or close to the stadium, or at a more distant location.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  4. A player, substitute, substituted player or team official who enters the VOR is sent off.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  5. Stepping into the review area earns a yellow card, whether it is a player, a substitute or a team official who does it.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  6. The RRA is where the referee undertakes an on-field review (OFR); the VAR works in the video operation room.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  7. Only authorised persons may enter the VOR or communicate with the VAR, AVAR and replay operator during the match.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · recall

  8. In the VOR the replay operator finds the pictures for the VAR, who checks them and then talks to the referee.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  9. The on-field review takes place in the RRA, a clearly marked area in a visible place outside the field of play; the decision stays the referee's.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

  10. The RRA must be outside the field of play, in a visible location and clearly marked (D); the other letters are all on the field.

    Source: IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 · applied

Sources

IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 1 (paraphrased in original wording)

  • IFAB Laws of the Game 2025/26, Law 140