What is Missing XI?
Missing XI presents the starting eleven from a real match on a pitch diagram. Eight players are named in their actual positions with shirt numbers, while three are hidden behind yellow ??? cards. You reconstruct the lineup by typing the missing names. The game accepts a correct name regardless of which card you tap, because it tests recall of the squad, not placement. Lineups come from official match reports on Wikipedia, and the search ignores accents and capitalization.
How to play Missing XI
Open the daily puzzle at futbolle.com/missing-xi. The pitch shows eight named players, three yellow ??? cards, the formation, shirt numbers, and the match banner. Use the visible names, opponent, competition, and formation to identify the fixture.
Tap a yellow card and enter the name of a missing player in the search field. It does not matter which card you select; correct answers are validated automatically. Complete the lineup within six attempts, as shown by the “Guess 0/6” counter.
Accepting any correct name for a hidden card keeps Missing XI focused on remembering the players rather than their positions. You reconstruct a match sheet. The design targets the challenge of recalling who played, while the players’ positions do not matter. The pool mixes iconic finals with obscure group matches, so difficulty varies unpredictably from day to day.
Reading the clues on the pitch
The eight visible names usually point to a single fixture in a season. Once you identify the match, the three missing players often form a recognizable group. The formation reveals the type of player needed before you name them: a gap in the defensive line indicates a defender, even if you have not yet recalled which one. Shirt numbers are the least reliable clue, especially in older lineups where numbering followed positions more strictly. The match banner confirms the opponent and competition, narrowing the search.
Tips for six attempts
Look for the match context first. Eight players named together typically played in one specific game, and identifying that fixture brings the missing names into focus as a set rather than three separate guesses.
Use the formation to infer position before recalling names. An obvious gap in a line tells you what role is missing, which filters the candidate pool.
Do not let the card you tapped dictate your guess. If you are certain of a name, enter it. The game will place it correctly.
Shirt numbers help less than you expect. In modern squads, numbering is flexible; in older ones, it matched positions but still required you to remember who wore which number in that particular match.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to place each player in the correct position?
No. A correct name counts for one of the hidden cards, even if you tapped a different one. The game tests memory of a lineup, not its arrangement.
How many attempts for three names?
Six, as counted by the "Guess 0/6" banner under the pitch.
Where do the lineups come from?
Official match reports published on Wikipedia. The pool contains 256 lineups from major finals and international tournaments including 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Euro 2020 and 2024, and AFCON 2023, including group stages.
Does everyone play the same lineup?
Yes. One team from a match is drawn each day, everyone receives the same puzzle on the same date, and it renews at midnight in your time zone. A lineup that has appeared will not return for several months.
A name rejected even though I am sure it is right?
The search ignores accents and capital letters and accepts the name under which a player is known in football rather than their full legal name. Use the feedback button at the bottom of the page to report a missing name.