120+ Fun Riddles About Football with Answers

    120+ Fun Riddles About Football with Answers

    Football has everything that makes riddles fun—fast action, quirky positions, loud fans, strange rules, and plenty of gear with funny names. Whether you mean soccer, American football, or you just want football-themed brain teasers for kids, parties, classrooms, or game day… this list is packed with playful prompts you can read out loud and solve together.

    Below are 120+ football riddles with answers, organized into easy, funny, soccer-style, American-football-style, and tricky wordplay sections.

    How to Use These Football Riddles

    • Read one riddle at a time and give everyone 15–30 seconds to guess.
    • Let players ask for one hint (like “think equipment” or “think position”).
    • Make it a game: 1 point per correct answer, bonus point for no hints.

    Easy Football Riddles

    I’m round and get kicked, but I never complain. What am I?
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    A football (soccer ball)

    I’m the place you score, guarded by a keeper. What am I?
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    The goal

    I blow to stop the game without using my hands. What am I?
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    A whistle

    I’m green, long, and lined, where the game is played. What am I?
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    The field (pitch)

    I keep time and score, but I don’t play. What am I?
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    A scoreboard

    I’m worn on feet to kick and run safely. What am I?
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    Cleats/boots

    I wave high and loud, but I’m not on the field. What am I?
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    A flag (or a fan’s flag)

    I’m the person who makes the final call. What am I?
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    The referee

    I protect your shins from hard kicks. What am I?
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    Shin guards

    I’m the net that catches dreams (and goals). What am I?
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    The net

    I’m a team’s leader who may wear an armband. What am I?
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    The captain

    I start the game from the center spot. What am I?
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    Kickoff

    I’m the pass that travels through the air to a teammate. What am I?
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    A cross (or a long pass)

    I’m a kick from the corner that swings into the box. What am I?
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    A corner kick

    I’m the kick taken from the penalty spot. What am I?
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    A penalty kick

    I’m the line that says “don’t go past me” for defenders. What am I?
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    The offside line

    I’m the player who guards the goal and wears gloves. What am I?
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    The goalkeeper

    I’m a move where you fake one way and go the other. What am I?
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    A feint

    I’m the part of your foot that gives power to a kick. What am I?
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    Your laces/instep

    I’m the loud sound fans make after a goal. What am I?
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    A cheer

    I’m what you do when you pass the ball to a teammate. What am I?
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    Assist (or a pass)

    I’m a quick restart after the ball goes out on the sidelines. What am I?
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    A throw-in

    I’m the kick used to restart play after a foul. What am I?
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    A free kick

    I’m the period between halves when teams rest. What am I?
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    Halftime

    I’m the person who coaches the team from the side. What am I?
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    The coach/manager

    Funny Football Riddles

    I get kicked all game and still come back for more. What am I?
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    The ball

    I’m the only “net” people love to hit. What am I?
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    The goal net

    I’m a “keeper,” but I don’t keep secrets. What am I?
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    A goalkeeper

    I’m a “card” that nobody wants for their collection. What am I?
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    A red card

    I’m yellow, but I’m not a banana—yet I stop bad behavior. What am I?
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    A yellow card

    I’m a “header” you do without a computer. What am I?
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    Heading the ball

    I’m a “boot,” but I don’t belong in a closet. What am I?
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    A football boot/cleat

    I’m a “pitch,” but nobody sings. What am I?
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    The pitch (field)

    I’m a “match,” but nobody lights me. What am I?
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    A football match/game

    I’m a “fan,” but I don’t cool the room. What am I?
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    A football fan

    I’m a “corner,” but I don’t live in a room. What am I?
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    A corner kick

    I’m a “free kick,” but nothing in football is truly free. What am I?
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    A free kick

    I’m a “box,” but you can’t ship anything in me. What am I?
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    The penalty box/area

    I’m “extra time,” but I’m not a homework extension. What am I?
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    Extra time

    I’m “stoppage time,” but play doesn’t stop. What am I?
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    Added time

    I’m a “sub,” but I’m not a sandwich. What am I?
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    A substitute

    I’m a “cleat,” but I’m not a cleaning tool. What am I?
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    A cleat

    I’m a “tackle,” but I’m not fishing gear. What am I?
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    A tackle

    I’m a “kit,” but I’m not a toolbox. What am I?
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    A team uniform

    I’m the loudest in the stadium, but I never touch the ball. What am I?
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    The crowd

    I’m a “brace,” and fans love me—but I’m not for teeth. What am I?
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    Two goals by one player

    I’m a “hat-trick,” but I don’t involve hats. What am I?
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    Three goals by one player

    I’m the one who runs the most and still gets yelled at. What am I?
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    The referee

    I’m the “wall” that jumps, but it’s not made of bricks. What am I?
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    A defensive wall

    I’m the “beautiful game,” but I can still break hearts. What am I?
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    Football (soccer)

    Soccer-Style Football Riddles

    I wear gloves and dive, but I’m not swimming. Who am I?
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    The goalkeeper

    I stay near the goal to stop attacks. Who am I?
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    A defender

    I pass, control, and connect the team. Who am I?
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    A midfielder

    I live for goals and shots. Who am I?
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    A striker/forward

    I’m a kick taken from the line outside the box after a foul. What am I?
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    A free kick

    I’m the restart after the ball crosses the goal line off a defender. What am I?
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    A corner kick

    I’m the restart after the ball crosses the sideline. What am I?
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    A throw-in

    I happen when you’re closer to the goal than the defender at the wrong time. What am I?
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    Offside

    I’m a pass that slices through defenders like a secret message. What am I?
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    A through ball

    I’m a shot that bends like a banana. What am I?
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    A curving shot

    I’m a shot that barely leaves the ground and sneaks in. What am I?
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    A low drive

    I’m a gentle shot that floats over a keeper. What am I?
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    A chip

    I’m a move where the ball goes between the defender’s legs. What am I?
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    A nutmeg

    I’m a skill where you flick the ball up and keep it off the ground. What am I?
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    Juggling

    I’m a pass kicked high into the air toward the box. What am I?
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    A cross

    I’m the arc near the penalty area that looks like a smile. What am I?
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    The “D” (penalty arc)

    I’m the place where penalties are taken from. What am I?
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    The penalty spot

    I’m the big rectangle in front of the goal. What am I?
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    The penalty area/box

    I’m the small rectangle in front of the goal. What am I?
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    The goal area (six-yard box)

    I’m the kick taken by the goalkeeper to restart play. What am I?
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    A goal kick

    I’m awarded when the goalie commits a foul in the box. What am I?
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    A penalty

    I’m the sound that starts and stops the match. What am I?
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    The referee’s whistle

    I’m what fans call it when a player scores three times. What am I?
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    A hat-trick

    I’m a tackle that wins the ball cleanly. What am I?
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    A successful tackle

    I’m the pass that goes backward to keep possession. What am I?
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    A back pass

    I’m a kick that curls into the goal from far away. What am I?
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    A long-range curler

    I’m a mistake that hands the opponent a goal chance. What am I?
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    A defensive error

    I’m the quick sprint to chase a loose ball. What am I?
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    A run

    I’m a fake shot that tricks the defender. What am I?
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    A shot feint

    I’m a celebration that happens after the net shakes. What am I?
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    A goal celebration

    I’m the kick where you try to score directly from the corner. What am I?
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    An olimpico

    I’m the pass that switches play to the other side fast. What am I?
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    A switch/diagonal

    I’m the moment the keeper blocks a shot with a dive. What am I?
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    A save

    I’m when defenders stand together to block a free kick. What am I?
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    A wall

    I’m a match that ends with no goals for either team. What am I?
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    A 0–0 draw

    American Football Riddles

    I’m shaped like an egg, but I’m not for breakfast. What am I?
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    A football (American)

    I’m the player who throws the ball. Who am I?
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    The quarterback

    I’m the player who catches passes. Who am I?
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    A wide receiver

    I’m the player who blocks and protects the quarterback. Who am I?
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    An offensive lineman

    I’m the player who snaps the ball to start the play. Who am I?
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    The center

    I’m the player who runs the ball and takes handoffs. Who am I?
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    A running back

    I’m the player who tries to tackle the runner. Who am I?
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    A defender

    I’m a big play worth six points when you cross into the end zone. What am I?
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    A touchdown

    I’m the extra kick after a touchdown. What am I?
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    An extra point

    I’m three points, kicked between the posts. What am I?
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    A field goal

    I’m the place with uprights and a crossbar where kicks score. What am I?
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    The goalposts

    I’m the place you must reach to score six. What am I?
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    The end zone

    I’m the play where the quarterback drops back to throw. What am I?
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    A pass play

    I’m the play where someone runs the ball forward. What am I?
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    A run play

    I’m a pass that hits the ground before it’s caught. What am I?
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    An incomplete pass

    I’m a stolen pass caught by the defense. What am I?
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    An interception

    I’m when the ball is dropped and anyone can grab it. What am I?
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    A fumble

    I’m a kick that starts the game or happens after scoring. What am I?
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    A kickoff

    I’m a kick that sends the ball away on fourth down. What am I?
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    A punt

    I’m the line you must cross to get a new set of downs. What am I?
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    The first-down line

    I’m the count of tries before you must give up the ball. What am I?
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    Downs

    I’m the yellow cloth that means a penalty. What am I?
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    A flag

    I’m the player who kicks field goals and extra points. Who am I?
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    The kicker

    I’m the player who punts the ball. Who am I?
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    The punter

    I’m the big protective headgear players wear. What am I?
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    A helmet

    Tricky Football Wordplay Riddles

    What has goals but no feet?
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    A scoreboard

    What has a pitch but no music?
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    A football field (pitch)

    What has a keeper but no zoo?
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    A goal (with a goalkeeper)

    What has a net but doesn’t catch fish?
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    A goal net

    I’m a “card” that doesn’t buy anything, but it changes the game. What am I?
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    A red/yellow card

    I’m a “box” you can’t pack, but players fear me. What am I?
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    The penalty box/area

    I’m the “wall” that jumps without legs. What am I?
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    A defensive wall

    I’m the “kick” everyone expects, but the goalie hopes for a miss. What am I?
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    A penalty kick

    I’m the “assist” that doesn’t win trophies, but fans love it. What am I?
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    The pass before the goal

    I’m “extra time,” but nobody wants extra stress. What am I?
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    Overtime/extra time

    What runs the whole match but never scores?
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    The referee

    What gets louder when the ball gets closer?
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    The crowd

    What can be “saved” without being stored?
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    A shot (saved by the goalkeeper)

    What can be “cleared” without cleaning?
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    The ball (a clearance)

    What can be “tackled” but isn’t a problem?
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    A player (a tackle)

    Football riddles are the perfect way to bring game-day energy anywhere—no stadium required. They work as quick icebreakers, classroom brain breaks, party challenges, or fun halftime entertainment. Mix a few easy ones with trickier wordplay, and you’ll keep everyone guessing (and laughing) from kickoff to the final whistle.

    Serena River