You may have noticed goalkeepers wearing baseball caps during matches to shield their eyes from sunlight. But did you know that an outfield player is permitted to wear cap during games? Of course, they aren’t able to wear a baseball cap, rather it must be protective headgear.

Goalkeepers are allowed to wear a baseball cap during football matches as long as they meet the Laws of the Game. The baseball cap must meet the criteria in the Laws of the Game and will be inspected by officials before the game begins. Protective headgear, caps, and headscarves are all allowed for players to wear.

So, what are the rules for wearing headgear in football?

• Headgear must be black or the same as the primary colour of the shirt.
• Headgear must be in keeping with the professional appearance of the player’s equipment.
• Headgear must not be attached to the shirt.
• Headgear must not be dangerous to the player wearing it or any other player.
• Headgear must not have any part(s) extending out from the surface.

Why do goalkeepers wear baseball caps?

It doesn’t occur often these days, but there was a time when goalkeepers regular were a cap. These billed caps were worn to shield a player’s eyes from the sunlight. In addition, a cap can shield a goalkeeper from weather conditions such as wind and rain. Cap wearing is limited to goalkeepers, but each football league will have its own rules on the headgear.

One of the most famous football goalies to wear headgear was former Chelsea and Arsenal shot-stopper Petr Cech. After suffering a head injury as a Chelsea player, Cech began wearing a rugby skull cap to protect his head against further concussions. Outfield players have less commonly worn rugby headgear in games. However, the ones who did wore them to protect their skulls. Former DC United and LA Galaxy striker Aleck Eskandarian and former Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu both wore rugby headgear after suffering serious concussion injuries.