Football Glossary
Your complete guide to football terminology
35 terms
Basic Terms
Goal
When the ball completely crosses the goal line between the goalposts and under the crossbar. Worth one point in the score.
Assist
The final pass or play that leads directly to a goal being scored by a teammate.
Rules
Penalty Kick
A direct free kick taken from the penalty spot (12 yards from goal) awarded for a foul inside the penalty area.
Offside
A player is offside when they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent when the ball is played to them.
Yellow Card
A caution shown by the referee for minor misconduct. Two yellow cards in a match result in a red card (ejection).
Red Card
Shown for serious fouls or after two yellow cards. The player must leave the match immediately and their team plays with one fewer player.
Free Kick
A restart of play awarded after a foul. Can be direct (score directly) or indirect (must touch another player first).
Corner Kick
Awarded when the ball goes out over the goal line after last touching a defending player. Taken from the corner arc.
Throw-in
Method of restarting play when the ball crosses the touchline. Thrown with both hands from behind the head while both feet on the ground.
Goal Kick
Awarded when the ball goes over the goal line (not a goal) after last touching an attacking player. Taken from the goal area.
VAR (Video Assistant Referee)
Technology used to review certain match-changing decisions: goals, penalties, red cards, and mistaken identity.
Extra Time
Two 15-minute periods played in knockout matches when the score is tied after 90 minutes. Also called overtime.
Penalty Shootout
Method to decide a winner after extra time. Each team takes 5 penalties alternately, then sudden death if still tied.
Stoppage Time
Additional time added at the end of each half to compensate for stoppages (injuries, substitutions, time-wasting). Also called injury time.
Handball
A foul committed when a player deliberately handles the ball with their hand or arm. Can result in a free kick or penalty.
Tactics
Formation
The tactical arrangement of players on the pitch, expressed as numbers (e.g., 4-3-3 means 4 defenders, 3 midfielders, 3 forwards).
Counter-attack
A quick attacking move launched immediately after regaining possession, exploiting the opposition's disorganized defense.
Possession
The percentage of time a team has control of the ball during a match. Higher possession doesn't always mean winning.
High Press
Defensive strategy where players aggressively pressure the opponent high up the pitch to win the ball quickly.
Competition
Group Stage
Initial phase where teams are divided into groups, playing round-robin matches. Top teams from each group advance to knockout rounds.
Knockout Stage
Elimination rounds where the losing team is out of the tournament. Includes Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, and Final.
Round of 16
First knockout round with 16 teams competing. Winners advance to the Quarter-finals.
Quarter-finals
Round with 8 teams competing (4 matches). Winners advance to the Semi-finals.
Semi-finals
Round with 4 teams competing (2 matches). Winners advance to the Final, losers play the Third Place Match.
Final
The championship match between the two remaining teams. The winner becomes the tournament champion.
Positions
Goalkeeper
The player who guards the goal. Only player allowed to use hands within their penalty area.
Defender
Player positioned in front of the goalkeeper, primarily responsible for stopping the opposition's attacks.
Midfielder
Player positioned between defenders and forwards. Links defense with attack and controls the tempo of the game.
Forward/Striker
Attacking player positioned closest to the opponent's goal. Primary role is to score goals.
Statistics
Goal Difference
Goals scored minus goals conceded. Primary tiebreaker when teams have equal points in group standings.
Clean Sheet
When a team prevents the opposition from scoring any goals in a match. The goalkeeper keeps a clean sheet.
Hat-trick
When a player scores three goals in a single match. A 'perfect hat-trick' includes goals with left foot, right foot, and header.
CSI (Cup Strength Index)
CupIndex's exclusive team strength rating based on Elo system. Combines recent form, historical performance, and tournament context.
MIS (Match Importance Score)
CupIndex's exclusive rating (0-100) for match significance. Considers stage, team strength balance, and stakes. 90+ means must-watch.
Form Momentum
CupIndex's indicator (-100 to +100) measuring a team's recent performance trend. Positive means improving, negative means declining.