Short answer: the Laws of the Game (IFAB Law 4) set five compulsory items of kit and the colour rules: the two teams must be distinguishable from each other and from the referees, each goalkeeper must stand out from everyone else, and base layers must match the sleeve and shorts colours. Law 4 does not require shirt numbers; numbers come from competition rules. US high school (NFHS) rules require numbers on every jersey, at least 4 in (10.2 cm) on the front and 6 in (15.2 cm) on the back, with a dark home jersey and a solid white away jersey. Check your league’s own rules before ordering.
What Law 4 requires on every kit
The IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 4 (The Players’ Equipment) applies to football worldwide, from professional leagues to most amateur and youth competitions. Competitions can add their own rules on top, but they start from these.
| Rule (IFAB Law 4) | What it means for a kit order |
|---|---|
| Compulsory items: a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear | Sleeveless tops are not legal match shirts; order short or long sleeves |
| The two teams must wear colours that distinguish them from each other and the match officials | Plan a home and a change kit in clearly different colours |
| Each goalkeeper must wear colours distinguishable from the other players and the match officials | Order goalkeeper kits in a colour neither team nor the referees wear |
| Undershirts: a single colour matching the main sleeve colour, or a pattern exactly replicating the sleeve | If players wear base layers, choose them in the sleeve colour |
| Undershorts/tights: same colour as the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts; the same colour for the whole team | Pick shorts colours with base layers in mind |
| No political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on equipment | Keep slogans off the design; the player’s number, name, team crest and manufacturer logo are normally fine |
Numbers and names: set by your competition, not the Laws
Law 4 mentions numbers and names only as items that are usually permitted on equipment. Whether numbers are compulsory, how big they must be and whether names are allowed is decided by the competition: national association rules, league regulations, tournament rules or, in US high schools, the NFHS. Most adult and youth leagues require a unique number on the back of every shirt, so plan for it even if your league rules are silent.
Our standard numbers are 20–25 cm on the back and 8–10 cm on the front, with an 8 cm number on the shorts. Tell us which rules you play under and we size the numbers to meet them.
US high school soccer (NFHS) uniform rules
| Item | NFHS requirement |
|---|---|
| Home jersey | Dark colour that contrasts with white |
| Visiting jersey | Solid white with no coloured trims |
| Team jerseys | All team members wear the same colour and style |
| Goalkeeper jersey | Distinctly different in colour from teammates and the opposing team |
| Numbers | Every jersey, including the goalkeeper’s, numbered front and back; no duplicates |
| Front number | At least 4 in (10.2 cm), solid colour contrasting with the jersey |
| Back number | At least 6 in (15.2 cm), solid colour contrasting with the jersey |
| Home socks | Dark, single dominant colour, both socks the same; need not match the jersey |
| Visiting socks | Solid white |
| Manufacturer logo | No more than 2¼ sq in or 2¼ in in any dimension |
| Other marks | Only names, patches, emblems, logos or insignias referencing the school |
For NFHS teams we enlarge the front number from our standard 8–10 cm to at least 10.5 cm, make the away jersey solid white with no coloured trim, and keep our own logo off the kit or within the size limit.
Planning a kit that passes the referee check
- Two outfield kits in clearly different colours, so you never clash with an opponent.
- Goalkeeper kits in a colour your outfield kits, common opponents and referees do not wear; many teams order two goalkeeper colours. Standard goalkeeper kits cost the same as outfield kits at Eliian; padded goalkeeper jerseys are quoted on the mockup.
- Numbers in one solid colour that contrasts with the shirt, sized to your league’s minimum.
- Socks that match the rules for home and away; our custom socks cost USD 1.5–3 per pair, minimum 20 pairs.
- Long sleeves for winter add about USD 1.5–2 per shirt; under Law 4 any base layer worn underneath must match the sleeve colour.
- Slogans stay off the design; sponsor logos depend on your competition rules.
What it costs to kit out a team
A fully sublimated soccer jersey costs USD 5.5–8 and a jersey-and-shorts set USD 8–11.5 at factory price, with names and numbers included and a minimum of 10 pieces per design. See custom soccer jerseys from 10 pieces for team totals, and the artwork and roster guide for how to send names and numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the IFAB Law 4 require shirt numbers?
No. Law 4 lists the compulsory equipment (shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, shinguards and footwear) and the colour rules. Shirt numbers are required by competition rules, such as NFHS rules for US high schools, league regulations and tournament rules.
What colour must a goalkeeper wear?
Under Law 4, each goalkeeper must wear colours that are distinguishable from the other players and the match officials. Under NFHS rules the goalkeeper jersey must be distinctly different in colour from both teams.
What colour should base layers and tights be?
Under Law 4, undershirts must be a single colour matching the main colour of the shirt sleeve, or a pattern that exactly replicates the sleeve, and undershorts or tights must match the main colour of the shorts or the lowest part of the shorts. Players on the same team must wear the same colour.
How big must numbers be on high school soccer jerseys?
Under NFHS rules, at least 4 inches (10.2 cm) on the front and 6 inches (15.2 cm) on the back, in a solid colour that contrasts with the jersey, and every jersey including the goalkeeper’s must be numbered with no duplicates.
Can we put sponsor logos on our soccer kit?
The Laws of the Game do not ban advertising on the shirt; competition rules decide what sponsor branding is allowed. Law 4 does ban political, religious and personal slogans, statements or images. NFHS rules allow only school-related marks plus a manufacturer logo of up to 2¼ square inches.
Sources
Rules checked 30 October 2026. Laws and competition rules change each season; confirm with your league or state association before you order.