What Are the 11 Positions in Soccer?

From guarding the goal to spearheading the attack, there are 11 basic positions in soccer.

The primary job of forwards like Olivier Giroud and Denis Bouanga is to score goals. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

In the game of soccer, there are 11 basic positions that players can assume, all of which play a key role in ensuring a team's success.

Some positions are about protecting the goal, ensuring the opposition team are shut out at all costs, while others are geared towards trying score at the other end of the field.

Most, however, are a combination of the two.

Here, Sports Illustrated takes you through the 11 basic positions in soccer, detailing each one's key duties and role in the team, as well their most popular variations.

The 11 Positions in Soccer

1. What Are the 11 Positions in Soccer?
2. Goalkeeper
3. Center Back
4. Full-Back
5. Central Midfielder
6. Winger
7. Forward

What Are the 11 Positions in Soccer?

Before we delve into the specifics of each positions, we've provided a handy table which lists the main positions in soccer, the abbreviations that are used to denote them, and the jersey numbers each typically wears.

Position	Abbreviation(s)	Shirt number(s)
Goalkeeper	GK	1
Center back	CB	4,5
Full-back	RB, LB, RWB, LWB	2, 3
Center midfield	CM, CDM, CAM	6, 8, 10
Winger	RM, LM, RW, LW	7, 11
Forward	ST, CF	9

Goalkeeper

Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

As the name suggests, the main job of the goalkeeper in soccer is to keep opposition players from scoring goals.

They do this by making saves with their hands, feet, and any other body part they deem necessary.

After making a save, goalkeepers are also expected the distribute the ball to a teammate, whether that be a close-by defender or a far-away forward. In the case of the latter, this means they are not only the last line of defense, but also the first line of attack.

Other names for goalkeepers include goalies, keepers, and, if you're feeling fancy, shot-stoppers.

Key Skills

Shot-stopping: The primary job of any goalkeeper is to make saves from different angles and distances. This requires quick reflexes, strong hands and positional awareness.

Kicking: Goalkeepers must be able to kick the ball a considerable distance (accurately) either from their hands or straight off the floor.

Catching: From collecting crosses to keeping hold of shots on goal, catching is a core skill in any goalkeeper's arsenal.

Distribution: More important now than ever before, the modern goalkeeper must excel in distributing the ball using accurate throws and kicks, supporting their team's transition from defense to attack.

Communication: Goalkeepers must be able to communicate loudly and clearly to help organize their team's defensive line.

Variations

While there are no positional variants as such when it comes to goalkeepers, there are certainly different styles of play.

Some keepers are known as "sweeper keepers" because they like to venture off their line and act as an emergency last defender. Others, meanwhile, are known as "ball-playing keepers", because of their ability to find teammates with high-accuracy passes.

Famous example: Lev Yashin

Lev Yashin. / Alexei Belikov/IMAGO

Nicknamed the "Black Spider" because of his trademark outfit and his ability to save shots as if he did eight arms, Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper in soccer history to have won the Ballon d'Or, having scooped the prize in 1963.

Center Back

Virgil van Dijk is one of modern soccer's finest center backs. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Center backs in soccer are positioned at the heart of the defense, and their primary job is to stop opposition forwards getting chances to score, but also now build attacks from the back.

Typically played as a pair, they do this by making tackles and interceptions, blocking shots, winning headers, and, when the time calls for it, lumping the ball as far away as possible.

Quite often, they are also the leaders of their teams because of their central position on the field, allowing them to have a good overview of the game.

Other names for center backs include center halves and central defenders.

Key Skills

Tackling: Center backs need to be able to make well-timed, precise tackles to win the ball cleanly without committing fouls.

Interceptions: Reading the play and getting to the ball before opponents is a must-have skill for any defender, not just center backs.

Heading: Being strong in the air is crucial for defending crosses, corners, and high balls. It's sometimes good for attacking too.

Passing: Modern center backs are expected to be able to pass the ball forward accurately and quickly, as well as receive it under pressure.

Speed and strength: Being able to both keep up with opposition forwards and muscle them off the ball is key for stopping them getting through on goal.

Variations

There is one main variant on the traditional center back in soccer, which is a "sweeper."

Also known as a "libero," which is taken from the Italian word for "free", these types of center backs play behind the back line and are tasked with dealing with, or sweeping up, any balls that fall into that zone.

Usually, they are the most central defender in a back-three.

Famous example: Paolo Maldini

Paolo Maldini is one of the best center backs of all-time. / Buzzi/IMAGO

Paolo Maldini is widely regarded as soccer's greatest-ever center back.

Technically astute and physically dominant in equal measure, the Italian won 26 trophies during a glittering 25-year career with AC Milan, including seven Serie A titles, five Champions Leagues, and one Coppa Italia.

They say Maldini was so good at reading the game, he didn't even need to make tackles.

Full-Back

Jordi Alba. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

There are usually two full-backs in any soccer team—one right back, and one left back.

Though in days gone by, the primary job of full-backs was to stay back in defense and stop opposition wingers, in the modern game, they are more often than not expected to both defend and attack.

Like center backs, they too defend by making tackles, interceptions, blocks, and clearances. In attack, they are tasked with making over-lapping runs and providing crosses into the opposition box.

Being a full-back is one of the most physically demanding roles in soccer.

Key Skills

Fitness: Because they are expected to get up-and-down the pitch, full-backs must have elite stamina.

Crossing: Full-backs are expected to be able to to deliver high-quality balls into the opposition box, whether in the air or across the ground.

Ball control and dribbling: The ability to carry the ball upfield and beat opponents is often a pre-cursor for providing great crosses.

Interceptions: Just as it is for center backs, reading the play and getting to the ball before opponents is a key skill for full-backs.

Tackling: Full-backs must not only be able to make standing and sliding tackles, they must be able to do so at speed because of the pace of opposition wingers.

Variations

The two main variations of the traditional full-back are an "inverted full-back" and a "wing-back."

Inverted full-backs move into central midfield when the team is in possession to provide numerical superiority in the middle of the park and help control the play, particularly when transitioning from defense to attack.

Wing-backs, on the other hand, tend to stick strictly to the flanks and are generally more offensive minded. As such, they are usually deployed as part of a back-five (or back-three, depending on which way you look at it).

Famous example: Phillip Lahm

Phillip Lahm. / Claus Bergmann/IMAGO

Bayern Munich and Germany legend Phillip Lahm started his career as a traditional full-back, but later became an inverted full-back under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.

Once hailed by the Spanish coach as one of the "best players ever"—Lahm retired in 2017 as an eight-time Bundesliga champion and World Cup winner.

Central Midfielder

Alexia Putellas. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Central midfielders, at least good ones, are the heartbeat of any soccer team.

They play a vital role in connecting defense with attack, and are tasked with controlling the flow and tempo of the game from the center of the field.

The are more variations of this position than any other in soccer, but all central midfielders need to be versatile and boast outstanding tactical and technical skills.

Key Skills

Passing: The most important skill for any central midfielder. Being able to execute passes both long and short with pinpoint accuracy is a must.

Vision and tactical awareness: Central midfielders must be able to spot the runs of teammates and spaces between opposition players where they can play they ball, They must also understanding positioning and be able to adapt to the different phases of play.

Physicality: The middle of park is often the most congested area of the field, and hence central midfielders must be strong so not to lose the ball.

Ball Control: Being able to control the ball in tight areas without losing it is incredibly important.

Tackling and interceptions: Even if they're more attack minded, all central midfielders need to know how to tackle and intercept the ball effectively to prevent the opposition from progressing through the midfield.

Variations

From "registas" to "mezzalas"—there are almost an infinite number of variations of the traditional central midfielder role.

The main three, however, are "central attacking midfielders", "central defensive midfielders", and "box-to-box midfielders."

They do as they say on the tin. One is more focused on attacking tasks like scoring and setting up teammates; one is more focused on defensive tasks like tackling and intercepting; while one does a bit of both. We'll let you work out which is which.

Famous example: Zinedine Zidane

Zizou in action for Real Madrid against FC Barcelona. / GEPA/Imagn Images

Such was the genius of Zinedine Zidane, it was difficult to pin him down to any one central midfielder variation, but the Frenchman was best-known for his creativity the final third, exceptional ball control, and superb dribbling skills.

“Zidane is unique. The ball flows with him. He is more like a dancer than a football player," German soccer icon Franz Beckenbauer once said of "Zizou."

To find out who comes close to Zizou, check out our list of the greatest midfielders of all time.

Winger

Neymar. / Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

In soccer, wingers are responsible for providing the team with an attacking threat down both the left and right flanks.

Dribbling past opponents, providing crosses into the box, and even shooting on the goal themselves are among their main responsibilities. Just as full-backs are expected to get forward and help in attack, wingers are also expected to track back and lend a helping hand in defense.

Other names for wingers include wide midfielders, wide forwards, and wingmen.

Key Skills

Dribbling: Being able to dribbling past their opposing number to create space for a cross or shot is an essential skill for any winger.

Speed: Dribbling is great, but it must also be combined with speed. Without it, getting past opposing players is much more difficult. Wingers are often the fastest players on the pitch.

Crossing: Wingers must be able to accurately pick out teammates with crosses, high or low, into the box.

Fitness: Consistently getting up-and-down the pitch is no easy feat, so wingers must have great stamina.

Shooting: Shooting opportunities are a regular occurrence for wingers, especially if they like to cut inside, so being able to find the target is vital.

Variations

Wingers typically play on the side of the pitch that corresponds with their strong foot. Right-footed wingers play on the right, and left-footed wingers play on the left. This means that they are able to cross the ball into the opposition box without stopping to get the ball onto their preferred foot.

Sometimes, however, wingers play on the opposite flank to their preferred foot. These types of wingers are known as "inverted wingers."

Though they still cross the ball, they more often than not cut inside to either shoot at goal or support their team's play in-and-around the penalty box.

Famous example: George Best

George is one of the Best wingers of all-time. / Colorsport/IMAGO

During his prime, George Best was considered one of the world's finest soccer players.

An elite dribbler, shooter, and creator, he scored 179 goals for Manchester United between 1963 and 1974, helping the club lift two first division titles and the European Cup.

Sadly, his career began to tail off in his late-20s due to alcoholism.

Forward

Erling Haaland. / Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch, Kyle Robertson / USA TODAY NETWORK

Scoring goals is what ultimately wins soccer games, and that is the primary job of any forward.

Great forwards will be able to score all sorts of goals. They can poke in from close range, find the corner with a neat angled finish, or thump home a volley from distance. They'll also be able to score with both their strong and weak foot, as well as their head.

Also known strikers, center forwards, and frontmen, they are, rightly or wrongly, often seen as their team's most important player.

Key Skills

Shooting: Being able to shoot with power and accuracy is the most vital skill for any forward.

Movement: Whether dropping deep to collect the ball, running in-behind, or darting across the box, forwards must be able to recognise what move to make and when to maximise their chances of scoring.

Hold-up play: On top of scoring goals, forwards are also expected to be able to keep hold of the ball and release it to teammates at the right time.

Speed and agility: To create openings to shoot, forwards need to be able to burst past opposing defenders with a quick turn of pace.

Heading: Forwards who can score with their head add an extra and dangerous dimension to their team's play.

Variations

There a lots of different types of forwards.

A "target man", for example, is usually big and strong, and will be typically be provided with lots of long-balls to knock down to teammates, as well as crosses to attack. An "inside forward", meanwhile, plays just behind the main forward in more of a support role.

These days, "false number nines" are also popular. They drop deep into midfield to link play, create space for wingers, and act as a playmaker.

Famous example: Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan found the net for fun during her career. / Julia Kapros-Imagn Images

Before her retirement in 2024, Alex Morgan had long been recognised as one of the best female strikers in world soccer.

Her most notable achievements came with the USWNT, for whom she scored 123 times in 224 games and lifted Women's World Cup twice.

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