45 soccer trivia questions with answers

Soccer questions for an end-of-season team party, a PE class or a World Cup watch party: easy ones for players from about 8, hard ones for fans. The rounds cover the rules, the World Cup, the big clubs, the legends and the women's game, and every answer links to its source.

The next Women's World Cup kicks off on Thursday 24 Jun 2027 and runs to 25 Jul. Source: Wikipedia

45 questions · Soccer trivia questions with answers · answers included

Updated 28 Oct 2026

The rules

1
Which player may catch the ball with their hands inside their own penalty area?

easy

Answer
The goalkeeper.
Once a keeper has the ball in their hands, opponents are not allowed to challenge for it.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goalkeeper_(association_football)?oldid=1380049518
2
What color card does a referee hold up to caution, or warn, a player?

easy

Answer
Yellow.
The system of cautions has been part of the rules since 1881.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouls_and_misconduct_(association_football)?oldid=1382176164
3
What happens to a player who is cautioned twice in the same match?

easy

Answer
Sent off.
The referee has wide freedom to decide what counts as unsportsmanlike behavior.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fouls_and_misconduct_(association_football)?oldid=1382176164
4
When a player takes a throw-in, how many hands must they use?

easy

Answer
Both hands.
The thrower must also keep part of each foot on the sideline or the ground behind it.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throw-in?oldid=1369226293
5
In a penalty shoot-out, how many kicks does each team take before it goes to sudden death?

easy

Answer
5.
A shoot-out ends early if one team has scored more than the other could reach with its remaining kicks.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_shoot-out_(association_football)?oldid=1380875872
6
How many yards from the goal line is the penalty spot?

medium

Answer
12 yards.
Penalty kicks began in 1891, 11 years before there was a penalty spot.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_kick_(association_football)?oldid=1380851913
7
A player can only be in an offside position in which half of the field?

medium

Answer
The opponents' half.
Standing in an offside position is not against the rules by itself; the player must also get involved in play.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offside_(association_football)?oldid=1380941115
8
The Football Association, which wrote the first rules of the game in 1863, was founded in which city?

medium

Answer
London.
Its first meeting was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on October 26, 1863.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football?oldid=1381327185
9
Since 2025, what does the other team get if a goalkeeper holds on to the ball for more than 8 seconds?

hard

Answer
A corner kick.
The kick is taken from the side nearer to where the keeper held on to the ball.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corner_kick?oldid=1367102817
10
When a referee raises one arm straight up above their head for a free kick, what kind of free kick is it?

hard

Answer
An indirect free kick.
A goal cannot be scored straight from it; another player must touch the ball first.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_kick_(association_football)?oldid=1379099837

The World Cup

11
Through the 2026 World Cup, which country has won the men's World Cup the most times, with 5 titles?

easy

Answer
Brazil.
It is also the only team to have played at every World Cup.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381627832
12
How many teams took part in the 2026 World Cup, the most ever?

medium

Answer
48.
The number of matches grew from 64 to 104.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381009618
13
At the 2026 World Cup, which country became the first to host the men's World Cup for a third time?

medium

Answer
Mexico.
It had also hosted the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381009618
14
Which country won the 2026 World Cup?

medium

Answer
Spain.
Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the final, in extra time.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381009618
15
The World Cup trophy shows 2 human figures holding up what?

medium

Answer
The Earth.
It is made of 18 karat gold and weighs about 13.6 pounds.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_Trophy?oldid=1381103545
16
Which country hosted the 2022 World Cup, the first one played in November and December?

medium

Answer
Qatar.
It was the first World Cup held in the Middle East.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381693185
17
In which New Jersey stadium was the 2026 World Cup final played?

hard

Answer
MetLife Stadium.
It was renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup?oldid=1381009618
18
After the 2026 World Cup, which French forward holds the record for most World Cup goals, with 22?

hard

Answer
Kylian Mbappé.
Germany's Miroslav Klose had held the record, with 16 goals, for 12 years.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miroslav_Klose?oldid=1382078849
19
The first World Cup trophy was renamed in honor of which FIFA president?

hard

Answer
Jules Rimet.
That first trophy was stolen in 1983 and has never been found.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_Trophy?oldid=1381103545
20
At the first World Cup in 1930, where did the US men's team finish?

hard

Answer
Third place.
Through 2026, no other team from North America, Central America or the Caribbean has finished that high.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_men's_national_soccer_team?oldid=1382181005

Clubs and leagues

21
Major League Soccer has teams in the United States and which other country?

easy

Answer
Canada.
The league's first season, in 1996, had 10 teams.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer?oldid=1382228681
22
Lionel Messi led which club to its first MLS Cup title in 2025?

easy

Answer
Inter Miami.
David Beckham is one of the club's owners.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Messi?oldid=1382364926
23
How many clubs play in England's Premier League?

easy

Answer
20.
Each club plays 38 matches a season, home and away against every other club.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League?oldid=1381715631
24
Through the 2025 season, which club has won the most MLS Cups?

medium

Answer
The LA Galaxy.
Its sixth title came in 2024.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer?oldid=1382228681
25
Through the 2025-26 season, which club has won the most Premier League titles, with 13?

medium

Answer
Manchester United.
Manchester City is next with 8.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League?oldid=1381715631
26
Through the 2026 final, which club has won the Champions League the most times, with 15?

medium

Answer
Real Madrid.
The competition began in 1955 as the European Cup.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League?oldid=1381808423
27
Which song do Liverpool fans sing as the club's anthem?

medium

Answer
"You'll Never Walk Alone."
Liverpool has played its home games at Anfield since the club was founded in 1892.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool_F.C.?oldid=1381901076
28
FC Barcelona's motto is "Més que un club." What does it mean in English?

medium

Answer
More than a club.
The club was founded in 1899 by a group of players led by Joan Gamper.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona?oldid=1382076739
29
Which French club won the 2026 Champions League final?

hard

Answer
Paris Saint-Germain.
It beat Arsenal on penalties for its second title in a row.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League?oldid=1381808423

Legends

30
Cristiano Ronaldo led which country to victory at Euro 2016?

easy

Answer
Portugal.
He played his first game for the national team in 2003, at age 18.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristiano_Ronaldo?oldid=1382316132
31
Which Brazilian is the only player to win 3 World Cups?

medium

Answer
Pelé.
He was only 17 when he won the first of them, in 1958.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pel%C3%A9?oldid=1382313456
32
Which Argentine star scored the "Hand of God" goal against England at the 1986 World Cup?

medium

Answer
Diego Maradona.
His second goal in that match, a run past 5 England players, was voted the Goal of the Century.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Maradona?oldid=1381903226
33
Through the 2026 award, who has won the Ballon d'Or, the prize for the world's best player, a record 8 times?

medium

Answer
Lionel Messi.
The French magazine France Football has given the award since 1956.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d'Or?oldid=1382223518
34
Which England striker won the 2026 Ballon d'Or?

hard

Answer
Harry Kane.
It was the 70th time the award was given.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballon_d'Or?oldid=1382223518
35
What German nickname did the great defender Franz Beckenbauer have?

hard

Answer
Der Kaiser (the Emperor).
He won the World Cup as West Germany's captain in 1974 and as its manager in 1990.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Beckenbauer?oldid=1381393642
36
Johan Cruyff of the Netherlands played and coached in which famous style, where players swap positions freely?

hard

Answer
Total Football.
Coach Rinus Michels developed the style at the Dutch club Ajax.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Cruyff?oldid=1382303923

Women's soccer

37
Through the 2023 Women's World Cup, which country has won the tournament the most times?

easy

Answer
The United States.
Its titles came in 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Women's_World_Cup?oldid=1373068730
38
Which country will host the 2027 Women's World Cup?

easy

Answer
Brazil.
It will be the first Women's World Cup held in South America.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2027_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup?oldid=1381623299
39
In which California stadium was the 1999 Women's World Cup final played?

medium

Answer
The Rose Bowl.
The crowd of 90,185 set a world record for a women's sporting event.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup?oldid=1381285570
40
Which country hosted the first Women's World Cup, in 1991?

medium

Answer
China.
That first tournament was called the FIFA Women's World Championship.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_Women's_World_Cup?oldid=1373068730
41
In what year did the US women win the first Olympic women's soccer tournament?

medium

Answer
1996.
It was the first Olympics to include women's soccer.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_women's_national_soccer_team?oldid=1380163894
42
On a tour after the 2004 Olympics, which US forward scored her 158th international goal, then the record for any player?

medium

Answer
Mia Hamm.
She won the Women's World Cup in 1991 and 1999.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mia_Hamm?oldid=1381980436
43
US forward Abby Wambach was famous for scoring goals with what kind of header?

medium

Answer
Diving headers.
She scored 184 goals for the United States.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Wambach?oldid=1382061505
44
Through the 2023 Women's World Cup, Marta holds the record for career goals at the tournament. How many has she scored?

hard

Answer
17.
She has been named FIFA World Player of the Year 6 times.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_(footballer)?oldid=1382246436
45
Kristine Lilly is the most-capped player in soccer history. How many games did she play for the US?

hard

Answer
354.
She played for the national team for 23 years.
Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristine_Lilly?oldid=1381398376

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