Gifts for Soccer Fans, From Backyard Goals to 7:30 a.m. Kickoffs
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 21 hand-picked ideas
American soccer fans are a varied bunch. Some grew up playing and never stopped; some follow an MLS or NWSL club and go to every home game; and a lot of them set an alarm on Saturday mornings to watch a team in England, Spain, Germany or Italy, because that's when those matches air on this side of the Atlantic. If the World Cup played across North America this past summer turned someone you know into a fan, they may still be working out which club to adopt.
That variety matters when you shop. A fan who watches needs different things from a player who trains, and almost every fan gift depends on knowing their team. This page starts with match-day gear for watchers, moves to tactics books and games for the fan who wants to talk formations, then covers backyard training gear and game-day equipment for players. In the middle there's a short section on jerseys, cleats and getting the team right.
If they also follow other sports, see gifts for sports fans and gifts for basketball fans. Shopping for a young player? Our gifts for kids guide has more ideas for that age.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
Giftruly is reader-supported. When you buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. How we pick
Match-day gear for watching
Whether they watch from the stands, a supporters' bar or the couch at dawn, fans like to look the part. Everything here should be in their team's colors, so confirm the club before ordering.
- 1~$25
Soccer Fan Scarf in Team Colors
The classic soccer fan item, held up before kickoff and worn all winter. Buy from their club's shop for an official one.
Soccer FansSports Fansfun - 2~$40
Team Logo Throw Blanket
A throw in their team's colors for early weekend kickoffs on the couch with a coffee, when the house is still cold.
Sports FansHomebodiescozy - 3~$90
Sports Jersey Display Frame
A wall frame for a signed shirt or a jersey from a memorable season. A big gift for a fan with a shirt they won't wear anymore.
Sports FansHomebodiessentimental - 4~$140
Pro Match Soccer Ball
A replica of the official match ball used in a top league or tournament. Fans display them; serious players love training with one.
Soccer FansSports Fansluxe
For the fan who wants to talk tactics
Some fans watch a match and see the score. Others see a back three, a pressing trap and a fullback who keeps drifting inside. If your fan sends long texts about formations, these are for them.
- 5
Inverting the Pyramid Soccer Tactics Book
~$20
Jonathan Wilson's history of how soccer tactics evolved, from early formations with a crowd of forwards to the modern pressing game. It's dense, smart and full of stories, and it makes a fan see every match a little differently afterward. Best for an adult who already watches a lot; a casual viewer may find it heavy going.
- 6
Soccer Coaching Tactics Board with Magnets
~$28
A dry-erase board with magnetic player pieces, made for coaches but fun for any fan who likes to explain why the manager got the substitution wrong. Good for a parent who coaches a youth team, too, since it's useful at halftime and in the garage on Sunday.
- 7
EA Sports FC Soccer Video Game
~$70
The yearly soccer game with licensed clubs and players, so they can manage or play as their team between real matches. Check which console or PC they use before buying, and consider whether they already own this year's edition; most fans who play it buy it the week it comes out. Our gifts for gamers guide has more for this crowd.
- 8
Tabletop Foosball Game
~$80
A tabletop foosball game brings the rivalry into the living room, and anyone can play within a minute. It suits a family with a soccer-mad kid or a fan who hosts friends for big matches. It's a tabletop size, not a full standing table, which makes it easy to store.
For the player who practices in the backyard
Players improve with touches, and touches happen at home. These turn a yard or driveway into a training ground for kids, teens and adults who still play on weekends.
- Our favorite9
Soccer Rebounder Training Net
~$95
A frame with an elastic net that returns passes and shots, so one player can work on first touch, volleys and one-touch passing for as long as they like. It's the single best home training gift for a committed player of almost any age, and the adjustable angle lets them practice ground passes or balls in the air. It needs a flat patch of grass or driveway.
- 10
Pop-Up Portable Soccer Goal Pair
~$55
Two light goals that pop open in seconds and pack into bags. They're right for small-sided games in the yard or at the park, and they're easy to take to a family reunion. They won't survive hard shots from a strong teenager for long, so they suit younger kids best.
- 11
Full-Size Backyard Soccer Goal with Net
~$150
A steel-frame goal with weatherproof netting for a family with a serious young player and a decent yard. It's a big gift that tends to stay up for years. Measure the space first, and plan to anchor it; goals can tip over if kids hang on the crossbar.
- 12
Soccer Cone and Agility Ladder Training Set
~$28
Cones and a ladder for footwork and dribbling drills, the same basic kit coaches use. Inexpensive and versatile, and a good pick for a player trying to get faster before tryouts.
- 13
Solo Soccer Kick Trainer Belt
~$30
A ball on a cord attached to a waist belt, so it comes back after every kick. Good for younger kids practicing in a small yard or apartment courtyard where chasing the ball isn't practical.
Jerseys, cleats and getting the team right
Soccer loyalties run deep, and a gift in the wrong colors is worse than no gift. Before buying anything with a crest, confirm the club; a fan of one Manchester team will not thank you for the other. With jerseys, clubs release new home and away designs most seasons, and a player's name on the back can date quickly if they're transferred. A plain jersey, or one with a club legend's name, is the safer bet.
Cleats are a different gamble. They need the right size and the right sole for the surface: firm ground cleats for natural grass, artificial ground or turf shoes for synthetic fields, and flat indoor shoes for futsal. Unless you know all three details, give a gift card. And if you're thinking about a streaming subscription for watching their league, check which service carries it in the US this season; rights for European leagues, MLS and the NWSL are split across several services and change every few years.
Game-day kit for players
For kids and teens on a team, or adults in a rec league, these are things players use every week and often need more of.
- 14
Match Quality Size 5 Soccer Ball
~$30
A durable thermally bonded ball for practice and pickup games. Size 5 is for players about 12 and older; younger kids use size 4 or 3, so check the age before you buy. Players always seem to need one more ball, since team balls stay with the team.
- 15
Goalkeeper Gloves with Finger Protection
~$26
Latex palm gloves with finger support for a young keeper. Keepers go through gloves quickly because the latex wears down, and new ones make a noticeable difference in grip. Glove sizes run by hand length, so measure a hand or ask a parent before ordering.
- 16
Soccer Backpack with Ball Compartment
~$35
A bag with a net for the ball and a separate pocket for muddy cleats. It keeps the gear for practice in one place, which parents of soccer kids will appreciate as much as the player does.
- 17
Soccer Shin Guards for Youth
~$18
Most leagues require shin guards, and growing kids outgrow them every season or two. A practical gift that parents always need to buy anyway, so it's a welcome one from a grandparent or aunt.
Small stuff players always lose
Cheap and useful, these make good stocking stuffers or add-ons to a bigger gift.
18.Soccer Grip Socks ~$14
Socks with rubber grips that stop feet sliding inside cleats. Many players now wear them under their team socks.
19.Size 1 Mini Soccer Skills Ball ~$12
A small ball for juggling and touch work. Fans like having one to keep at the desk, too.
20.Soccer Ball Pump with Needles and Mesh Bag ~$15
A pump, spare needles and a mesh ball bag. Every soccer household needs one, and the needles disappear.
21.Size 3 Soccer Ball for Kids ~$15
A size 3 ball for the under-eights. Right-sized balls help little kids learn to dribble and shoot properly.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
$50–$100
Before you shop for a soccer fan
Confirm their team, including the league. Many American fans follow an MLS or NWSL club and a European one.
Decide whether they mostly watch or play. Fans want team gear and books; players want training tools and kit.
Leave cleats to the player unless you know the size, the brand and the surface they play on.
For kids, match the ball size to their age: size 3 under eight, size 4 up to about twelve, size 5 after that.
If soccer is just one of their interests, our gift finder can mix in ideas for the rest.
Soccer gift questions
What do you get a soccer fan who has everything?
A tactics history like Inverting the Pyramid, a frame for a favorite jersey, or tickets to see their team play. If their team is overseas, an MLS or NWSL match nearby still makes a fun day out.
Is a soccer jersey a good gift?
Yes, as long as you're certain of the team and their size. Avoid printing a current player's name unless they've asked for it, since transfers happen often.
What's a good gift for a young soccer player?
A rebounder net, pop-up goals, a ball in the right size, a training cone set or a soccer backpack. Shin guards and grip socks are cheaper practical picks.
Why do soccer fans watch games so early?
Many follow European leagues, and weekend matches in England and Spain often kick off in the morning or around midday on the East Coast, and earlier still out West.