Football
Football kit rules: what IFAB Law 4 says
The Laws of the Game decide what a player must wear and which colours must clash. Here is Law 4, summarised, with the clause for each rule.
- Governing body
- IFAB
- Document
- Laws of the Game, Law 4
- Edition
- Latest (2026/27 season)
- Applies to
- All football played under the Laws
- Last checked
- 6 October 2026
About the source
The short answer
Law 4 of football's Laws of the Game makes a sleeved shirt, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear compulsory. The two teams and the goalkeepers must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and the match officials. Undershirts and tights must match the shirt sleeve and shorts. The competition sets number sizes and sponsor limits.
Rules change: always check your own league's current rules.
This page summarises the governing document named in each row, in our own words. It is not the official text and it is not legal advice. Leagues, unions, boards and school associations can add to or change these rules, and they publish new editions.
Rules table
The rules, row by row
Each row has the clause, the edition and a link to the source. Last checked .
Compulsory kit and colours
These rows come from Law 4, clauses 4.2 to 4.4.
| Rule | What it says | Who sets it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory equipment | A player's compulsory kit is five separate items: a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.2 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Tape on socks | Tape or any other material worn on the outside of the sock must be the same colour as the part of the sock it covers. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.2 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Shinguards | Shinguards must be made of a suitable material, give reasonable protection and be covered by the socks. The player is responsible for their size and suitability. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.2 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Team colours | The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and from the match officials. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.3 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Goalkeeper colours | Each goalkeeper must wear colours that are distinguishable from the other players and the match officials. If both keepers wear the same colour shirt and neither has another, the referee lets the match go ahead. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.3 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Undershirts | An undershirt must be one colour matching the main colour of the shirt sleeve, or a pattern or colours that exactly replicate the sleeve. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.3 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Undershorts and tights | They must match the main colour of the shorts, or the lowest part of the shorts. Players of the same team must wear the same colour. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.3 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Head covers | Where a head cover is worn (goalkeepers' caps excepted), it must be black or the same main colour as the shirt, with players of one team wearing the same colour. It must not be attached to the shirt. | IFAB (the Law) | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.4 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
Slogans, names, numbers and advertising
Law 4 is short on detail here. It leaves sizes and positions to the competition.
| Rule | What it says | Who sets it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slogans and images | Equipment must not carry political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images. Undergarments must not show such messages, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo. | IFAB; sanctions by the competition organiser, national FA or FIFA | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.5 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Names, numbers and crests | The Law lists the player's number, name and team crest, and any advertising the competition rules allow, as usually permitted. | IFAB; competition rules | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.5 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
| Size, number and position of marks | Competition rules may add further limits, in particular on the size, number and position of permitted slogans, statements and images. | Competition organiser | IFAB Law 4Clause 4.5 Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season) Last checked |
Law 4 also covers jewellery, electronic equipment and wearable tracking systems. We have left those out because they are not about kit design.
Rules change: always check your own league's current rules.
Ordering
What this means when ordering kit
Practical notes for a football order. Rules vary by league, so send your league's kit rules with your brief. The kit order checklist turns these notes into a printable page.
- Plan the goalkeeper shirt firstLaw 4 asks for keeper colours that stand out from the outfield players and officials. Clubs usually order a home and an away kit plus a goalkeeper shirt in a contrasting colour, so choose the keeper colour against both outfield kits.
- Match shorts and socks to the shirt colourwayConfirm shorts and sock colours together with the shirt so the set matches. If your players wear tape, remember it has to match the sock colour where it is applied.
- Keep sleeves simple for undershirtsAn undershirt has to match the main sleeve colour or replicate the sleeve exactly. A shirt with a clear main sleeve colour makes that easy for the whole squad.
- Ask your league for number and sponsor rulesLaw 4 does not give number heights or sponsor sizes. Send your competition's rules with the brief. We print crests and sponsor logos by sublimation, or apply them as badges, and names and numbers are normally heat transferred, to the artwork and placement you supply.
- Approve the sample before bulkThe sample takes 8–10 days, so you can check colours against your opposition kit and the officials' colours before bulk production starts.
FAQ
Football kit rules: common questions
See also the custom football and soccer kits page or ask for a quote.
What does Law 4 say a football player must wear?
A player's compulsory equipment is a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear. The shinguards must give reasonable protection and be covered by the socks. The team captain must also wear an armband that the competition organiser has issued or authorised, or a single-coloured one.
Does the goalkeeper have to wear a different colour?
Yes. Each goalkeeper must wear colours that are distinguishable from the other players and from the match officials. If the two goalkeepers' shirts are the same colour and neither has another shirt, the referee allows the match to be played.
Can players wear undershirts or tights in any colour?
No. An undershirt must be a single colour matching the main colour of the shirt sleeve, or replicate the sleeve exactly. Undershorts and tights must match the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts, and every player on the team must wear the same colour.
Does Law 4 set the size of shirt numbers or sponsor logos?
No. Law 4 lists the number, name and crest as usually permitted and says competition rules may add limits on size, number and position. Ask your league or competition organiser for those details.
Can I put a slogan on a football kit?
Not a political, religious or personal one. Law 4 says equipment must not carry them. It usually permits the player's number, name, team crest and advertising allowed by the competition, so check what your competition allows.
Sources
Primary sources
The documents behind this page, all read directly from the publisher. Accessed 2026-10-06. Links open in a new tab.
- IFAB (International Football Association Board): Laws of the Game, Law 4: The Players' Equipment Latest edition on theifab.com (2026/27 season). Accessed 2026-10-06.
- IFAB: Laws of the Game documents Lists the 2026/27, 2025/26 and 2024/25 editions as PDF downloads. Accessed 2026-10-06.
Published by Nyxlete. Summaries are our own words and are not the official text.
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Ordering football kit?
Send your quantities, colours and your league's rules. We reply with pricing and a sample timeline.