'9' is usually worn by strikers, also known as centre-forwards, who hold the most advanced offensive position on the pitch, and are often the highest scorers in the team. It is also the only position on the field that is required to be occupied. įor instance, '1' is frequently used by the starting goalkeeper, as the goalkeeper is the first player in a line-up. Still, there are some numbers that are universally agreed upon being used for a particular position, because they are quintessentially associated with that role. Īs national leagues adopted squad numbers and game tactics evolved over the decades, numbering systems evolved separately in each football scene, and so different countries have different conventions. However, numbers 1–11 are often still worn by players of the previously associated position. Numbers very soon became a way to also indicate position, with starting players being assigned numbers 1–11, although in the modern game they are often influenced by the players' favourite numbers and other less technical reasons, as well as using 'surrogates' for a number that is already in use. Squad numbers are used in association football to identify and distinguish players that are on the field. Pelé during his tenure on the New York Cosmos wearing his iconic #10 ( May 2015) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

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Soccer traditional number positioning