How to play Football Impostor
Football Impostor is the daily game of spotting who does not belong: one category at the top — the same challenge for the whole world — and twelve players below it. Between 7 and 9 fit the category; the rest are impostors. It is free, needs no sign-up and takes under a minute.
The rules, in 20 seconds
- Read the category. It can be a club, a country, a confederation, a position or a debut decade.
- Tap who fits. Each right answer turns green and scores a point.
- One impostor ends the day. There is no second chance.
- Or stop first. "I'm done" closes the day with the points you already have.
The impostors are not random
This is what makes the game worth playing: the impostor is chosen by closeness — same league, same era, same country, neighbouring position. Someone who never played for Manchester United but played for Liverpool in those years is a hard impostor; a name nobody recognises would be noise, and noise is not difficulty. All twelve names on the board are among the best known players in our data.
Why a club category shows the country
Because football has two Liverpools (the English and the Uruguayan), two Américas and two Arsenals. "Played for: Liverpool" without saying which would be guesswork, not a challenge — so a club category brings the crest and the country below it.
Three strategies that work
- Start with the obvious. Every day has two or three names you are sure about — bank those points first.
- Suspect the league rival. If the category is a club, the likeliest impostor is someone from the rival, in the same era.
- Know when to stop. Seven safe points are worth more than a shot at an eighth you are unsure about.
What is not a category
Trophies are not categories here, and the reason is honesty: our data holds the biggest honour of each curated player, not the full list. "Does not have the Champions League" does not mean "never won it" — and the game would end up calling a real winner an impostor. Until the full list of honours exists, trophy categories stay out.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the board change?
At midnight, in your device local time. Everyone plays the same twelve names on the same day.
Is my progress saved?
It is, in your own browser — and separate from the other games: each one has its own stats and streak.
Does sharing give the answer away?
No. The text is only squares and the score — and, unlike the other games, the squares have no position: saying "the third one was an impostor" would ruin the day for whoever has not played yet.
Are there other games?
There are: Craque Oculto, Football Grid and Lineup, among others.