Can Soccer Players Wear Glasses?

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. With over 250 million players worldwide, some people with glasses are bound to be in the mix. What do they do? Can they play professionally? Can soccer players wear glasses on the field? What does FIFA say about all this? Let’s find out. 

Can Soccer Players Wear Accessories on the Field?

Out of the millions of players and billions of enthusiasts around the globe, chances are you’ve kicked a ball toward a goal at least once in your life. People come in all shapes and sizes, so does the sport discriminate? If you have poor vision, does that mean your dream to become a soccer player must end?

No, it does not. You have to comply with FIFA’s rules and regulations. Anything within them is permitted on the field. FIFA does not allow players to wear anything that could harm them or other players. Unfortunately, Traditional glasses and jewellery fall into that list. You cannot go on the field wearing them. However, you can still maintain your vision while getting on the field.

After all, you need to keep your eyes on the ball. How would you do that if you cannot see? Luckily several solutions do not involve your typical glasses.

Can Soccer Players Wear Earrings Covered With Tape?

What if you wear jewelry like an earring but cover it with tape? Both male and female players must remove all jewelry before stepping foot on the field. Even if your jewelry doesn’t move, it can still hurt you upon impact with another player or with the ground. FIFA cannot allow you to wear an earring for fear of injuring yourself while playing.

Suppose you injure yourself while you play the game, but your injury was one iota worse because of the jewelry you wore. FIFA would bear the cross of endangering their players. That’s why no jewelry with or without tape is allowed.

Can Soccer Players Wear Hijabs or Turbans?

Surely the accessory rule applies to religious headdresses as well. At least, that’s what one would think. However, FIFA would never close its doors to players simply because of their religious beliefs. Nor would they ever expect you to choose between your religion and Soccer.

Since 2012 FIFA has allowed religious headdresses on the field so long as they aren’t attached to the shirt and aren’t dangerous. They must also be the color of the uniform shirt.

How did FIFA come to this decision? They closely observed players on the field wearing headdresses for over twenty months. Only when they were sure that the injury caused by head garb was negligible did they make this decision.

Reasons Why Glasses Aren’t a Good Idea on the Field

How is wearing glasses on the field a bad idea? We suppose you think it’s more unsafe to play without your glasses. In a way, you are right. Playing Soccer without adequate vision correction is a bad idea. However, getting on the field with glasses on is even worse.

No one is saying you should play with nothing to help your vision. Soccer is a contact sport. Glasses are a terrible idea because they can shatter and break. The glass lenses could end up stabbing your face or even your eyes. They could easily fall off while playing and harm you or another player.

How often have you seen soccer players purposely and accidentally head-butting each other? It’s pretty physical on the field. Imagine what happens if another player knocks them off your face on purpose. Would you search for them in the grass on your knees while the opposing team scores? No, wearing traditional glasses while playing Soccer is not a good idea at all.

So What Do Players Who Wear Glasses Do?

So what do nearsighted or farsighted people do if they want to play Soccer? Here are some solutions.

Sports Goggles

Sports goggles are different from your everyday spectacles. They lack all the qualities that make regular glasses too dangerous to wear on the field.

These glasses are made of plastic and fit snugly to the face. They have an elastic band that keeps them from falling off the player.

Sports goggles aren’t exclusively for Soccer. You can use sports goggles for any contact sports or outdoor activities in which you move around a lot, like running or cycling.

Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are much more convenient than glasses or even sports goggles. It takes some practice to put them on quickly. However, after one gets the hang of it, one can wear them in seconds. As long as you keep them clean, they do not bother your eyes, and you barely feel their presence.

Short of getting laser treatment, contact lenses are the only way to play without feeling encumbered. If you forget you’re wearing them, it will be like you have no vision issues at all.

However, even contact lenses can cause problems. Álvaro Arbeloa lost a contact lens after being hit in the face. Arbeloa had to take a contact lens from someone else on the team to continue playing. He was able to make do even though the diopters were different. That being said, as long as you have a backup, contacts are still by far the best choice.

Soccer Players Who Wear Glasses

Everyone wants to look up to someone who faced similar challenges as them. Knowing that professional Soccer players wear glasses makes one feel better about wearing them. This list of professional players lets you know there’s nothing to be ashamed of about needing glasses or contact lenses.

1. Álvaro Arbeloa
2. Edgar Davids
3. Andres Iniesta
4. Mario Balotelli
5. David de Gea

What About Non-Professional Soccer?

So professional soccer players aren’t allowed to wear glasses during a match, but what about you? Can you wear glasses in a school soccer match or a friendly match at the park?

As far as unofficial friendly matches go, it is your call. If the referee allows it, you should be fine when it comes to school or college soccer. However, we strongly recommend complying with FIFA’s rules as they’ve done their research and concluded they aren’t safe.

Can Soccer Players Wear Glasses? – The Conclusion

It’s perfectly normal to need glasses. Many people all over the world need them, even professional football players. Can soccer players wear glasses? No, they cannot wear traditional glasses while playing. Sports goggles or contact lenses must take the place of traditional glasses on the field.