Can a football team start a game with only 10 players?

If the competition rules state that all players and substitutes must be named before kick-off and a team starts a match with fewer than eleven players, only the players and substitutes named in the starting line-up may take part in the match upon their arrival. read more

The Start of a Football Game: The Kickoff For American football fans, the opening kickoff is an exhilarating start to any game. They see the two-sided thrill of one team attempting to block the other, helping its returner run through, over, and past 11 fast-charging players of the kicking team. read more

11 players play on each side during the game. A team can have a maximum of 53 players on its roster. (Plus a ten-player practice squad). So, with 32 teams, the total number of players is 1,696. During pre-season, a team can have up to 90 players. I hope that helps. read more