What's a number 10 in soccer? Why position has specific number associated with it from football history
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What's a number 10 in soccer? Why position has specific number associated with it from football history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Most teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have a "number 10," but that doesn't always mean they wear the No. 10 on their jersey.
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For England, it matches up -- Jude Bellingham is the number 10 and wears those digits on his shirt, too.
But this is more about a position, and about the history of world football and uniforms, than it is about the actual digits themselves.
Here's what to know about a "number 10" in footballing terms.
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What's a number 10 in soccer?
A number 10 is a player who lines up near the front of midfield, often called an attacking midfielder.
They usually sit just off the back of the striker as the second-most-forward player on the attacking side.
They often have immense creativity and skill -- like Lionel Messi.
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Why is it called a number 10 in soccer?
The number itself comes from the position on the field.
When numerals were first added to jerseys in football, they were assigned based on spot on the field. There was no one who wore above 11, because there were 11 players who started the match.
The goalkeeper got No. 1, and it went up and out from there.
That attacking midfield position got 10 generations ago, and now it's associated with the spot.