Soccer Substitution Rules: How Many Subs Can a Team Make?

The Laws of the Game provide a framework, but the competition decides how many substitutes can be named and used. That distinction explains why a professional league, community competition and youth carnival can all have different bench rules.

A substitution is complete when the replacement enters with the referee's permission after the departing player has left. The replaced player normally cannot return unless the competition permits return substitutions.

The five-substitute framework

For top-division clubs and senior A internationals where five substitutes are allowed, each team has a maximum of three opportunities to make them during play. Multiple players can be changed in one opportunity. Substitutions made at half-time do not count against the three opportunities.

If both teams substitute at the same stoppage, each uses an opportunity. In extra time, competition rules can allow additional substitutes or opportunities, so tournament regulations should be checked before kickoff.

When return substitutions are allowed

Return substitutions—where a replaced player can come back—are permitted only in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football where the relevant association or competition has authorised them. They are not the default in professional senior soccer.

• The referee must be informed before every change.
• The player being replaced leaves before the substitute enters.
• Entry normally occurs at halfway during a stoppage, unless the referee directs otherwise.
• A named substitute who is sent off cannot take part later.

Concussion substitutes and local rules

Some competitions use permanent concussion substitutions under an approved protocol. Because these rules and trial provisions can change, teams should rely on the current competition handbook rather than assuming the standard five-sub limit tells the whole story.