Soccer Trivia Questions and Answers — Complete Guide

Soccer trivia covers the world's most popular sport — played by 250 million people across 200 plus countries, and watched by 5 billion fans during a World Cup. Below: 100+ soccer trivia questions and answers organized by category, covering FIFA World Cup history, the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Lionel Messi versus Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer rules, and the legendary players who built the global game. Use this guide for a soccer-themed bar night, a viewing-party warm-up, or a Premier League supporters' tiebreaker.

Quick Facts

• FIFA founding: 1904 in Paris
• FIFA member nations: 211 (more than the United Nations)
• World Cup founded: 1930 in Uruguay
• Most World Cup wins: Brazil (5 — 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
• Most international goals (men's): Cristiano Ronaldo (135 plus, all-time leader)

Easy Soccer Trivia Questions

These warm-up questions cover the basics any casual fan can answer. They keep the room engaged and let everyone score a few points before the harder rounds drill into FIFA technicalities and obscure transfer fees.

1. How many players are on a soccer team during play? 11.
2. How long is a regulation soccer match? 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves).
3. What shape is a soccer field? Rectangular.
4. What card does a referee show for a serious foul? A red card.
5. How many points is a goal worth? One.
6. What does FIFA stand for? Federation Internationale de Football Association.
7. What is the championship for international soccer called? The FIFA World Cup.
8. What sport is also called "football" outside the U.S.? Soccer.

For a printable warm-up set, see our 25 soccer trivia questions and answers.

FIFA World Cup Round

The World Cup has been held every four years since 1930, with breaks for World War II. It's the single largest sporting event on Earth, and its history rewards fans who know their tournaments cold.

1. Which country won the first World Cup? Uruguay (1930).
2. How many World Cups has Brazil won? Five.
3. Who won the 2022 World Cup? Argentina, defeating France in the final.
4. Where was the 2022 World Cup held? Qatar.
5. Where will the 2026 World Cup be held? The United States, Canada, and Mexico (joint hosts).
6. Who is the all-time top scorer in World Cup history? Miroslav Klose (16 goals).
7. What is the trophy awarded to the top scorer at a World Cup? The Golden Boot.
8. Who scored the famous "Hand of God" goal? Diego Maradona, in 1986 against England.

For more international tournament trivia, see Soccer Trivia Questions to Challenge Fans of the Beautiful Game.

English Premier League Round

The Premier League, founded in 1992, is the most-watched soccer league in the world, broadcast in 200 plus countries. This round tests knowledge of trophy lifts, big-club rivalries, and English-game history.

1. What year was the Premier League founded? 1992.
2. Which Premier League team has won the most titles? Manchester United (13 since 1992).
3. Who is the Premier League's all-time top scorer? Alan Shearer (260).
4. Which manager won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016? Claudio Ranieri.
5. What stadium is Liverpool's home ground? Anfield.
6. What is the nickname of Manchester City? The Citizens (or "Cityzens").
7. Who managed Arsenal's "Invincibles" 2003-04 unbeaten season? Arsene Wenger.

For Premier League supporters: Unleash Your Premier League Passion.

UEFA Champions League Round

The Champions League is European club soccer's premier competition, contested by the top clubs from each domestic league. The trophy is one of the most coveted in the sport.

1. Which club has won the most Champions League titles? Real Madrid (15).
2. What was the Champions League called before 1992? The European Cup.
3. Who has the most Champions League goals? Cristiano Ronaldo (140 plus).
4. What stadium hosted the 2024 Champions League final? Wembley Stadium, London.
5. Which English club won the Champions League in 2019 and 2021? Liverpool (2019) and Chelsea (2021).
6. Which Spanish club won 5 Champions Leagues in 7 years? Real Madrid (2014-2018, 2022).
7. Who scored a famous overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League final? Gareth Bale.

Build out a soccer night with the epic soccer trivia night guide.

Soccer Legends Round

The greatest-of-all-time conversation in soccer is contentious. This round tests recognition of the players whose names dominate every list.

1. Who is widely considered the greatest soccer player of all time? Pele, Diego Maradona, and Lionel Messi are all named (depending on the era).
2. How many Ballon d'Or awards has Lionel Messi won? Eight.
3. How many Ballon d'Or awards has Cristiano Ronaldo won? Five.
4. Who scored 1,000 plus career goals? Pele (1,281 in all matches, by his own count).
5. Which French striker won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000? Zinedine Zidane.
6. What is the nickname of Diego Maradona? El Diez (The Ten) or El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Boy).
7. Which Brazilian striker is nicknamed "The Phenomenon"? Ronaldo (Ronaldo Nazario).

For Beckham specifically: Bend It Like Beckham with Soccer Trivia.

Soccer Rules Round

The Laws of the Game, maintained by IFAB, govern professional soccer worldwide. This round rewards fans who actually know the offside rule.

1. What is the offside rule? An attacking player is offside if they're nearer the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when the ball is played to them.
2. How many substitutes are allowed in a Premier League match? Five (changed from three after 2020).
3. What is added time? Time added by the referee to compensate for stoppages during regulation halves.
4. What is VAR? Video Assistant Referee — used to review goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.
5. What's the diameter of a regulation soccer ball? Roughly 8.6 to 9 inches (22 cm).
6. How long is extra time? Two 15-minute halves.
7. What's a hat trick? Three goals scored by one player in a single match.

International Soccer Round

National team soccer features its own competitions — Copa America, the Euros, the Africa Cup of Nations, the Gold Cup, and the Asian Cup. This round tests knowledge of competitions outside the World Cup.

1. What is the European national team championship called? The UEFA European Championship (the Euros).
2. Which country won Euro 2024? Spain.
3. What is the South American national team championship? Copa America.
4. Which country has won the most Copa America titles? Uruguay and Argentina (15 each).
5. What is the African national championship? The Africa Cup of Nations.
6. What is the U.S. domestic professional league? Major League Soccer (MLS).
7. What MLS team plays in Inter Miami's home market? Inter Miami CF (Lionel Messi's club since 2023).

For more soccer night ideas: Soccer Trivia Ideas to Attract Bar Customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many players are on a soccer team?

11 players per team are on the field at any time, including a goalkeeper. Squads may have 18 to 30 plus players for substitutions and rotation.

What's the difference between soccer and football?

Same sport, different name. "Soccer" originated in 19th-century England as slang for "association football," the formal name. The U.S. and Canada use "soccer" to distinguish from American football.

Who has the most World Cup wins?

Brazil, with five titles (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002).

How long is a soccer match?

90 minutes total — two 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime, plus added time at the end of each half. Knockout matches add 30 minutes of extra time and possibly penalty kicks if tied.

Who is the all-time leading scorer in soccer?

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most international goals (135 plus). Pele claimed 1,281 in all official and unofficial matches.

How long should a soccer trivia round take?

Plan 15 to 20 minutes per 25-question round. A full themed soccer night runs three to four rounds plus a tiebreaker.

Host a Soccer Trivia Night

Want to run a themed soccer event? The Weekly Trivia Subscription delivers a professionally written question pack every week, including seasonal and event-driven sets like World Cup, Champions League, and Premier League. Subscribe once and run trivia all year without writing a single round.

For more on soccer's global reach, read our guide to soccer as the world's most popular sport.