What’s in a Kit Number? (The Number 1)

If there’s one kit number that’s crystal clear, it’s the 1. In football, the number 1 is almost always reserved for the goalkeeper—the last line of defense, the one player on the pitch allowed to use their hands (inside the penalty area).

Just like in baseball the “1” is the pitcher—who starts every play—the football “1” starts the action too, whether it’s with a goal kick, a throw, or organizing defenders in front of them.

And unlike other kit numbers, this one is nearly universal. When you see a player in the number 1 shirt, you can be 99% sure they’re the goalkeeper.

For example, Alisson Becker wears the number 1 shirt for Liverpool in the Premier League, guarding the net and organizing the defense.