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Which piece of equipment must every soccer player wear under the Laws of the Game?

Every player must wear shin guards, covered by their socks.

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  1. Gloves
  2. A headband
  3. Shin guards ✔

Why: IFAB Law 4 lists shin guards as compulsory equipment, along with a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks and footwear. They must be covered by the socks.

Huh, didn't know that: Players, not the referee, are responsible for making sure their shin guards are the right size and material.

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Why did the shin guard go to school? To get a little more leg-ucation.
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References

Answer: Shin guards. IFAB Law 4 lists shin guards as compulsory equipment, along with a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks and footwear. They must be covered by the socks.

  1. IFAB Laws of the Game (current edition), Law 4 The Players' Equipment www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-players-equipment
    The compulsory equipment of a player comprises the following separate items
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. IFAB Laws of the Game (current edition), Law 4 The Players' Equipment www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-players-equipment
    be covered by the socks. Players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shinguards
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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