Can a substituted player come back on?

Only if your competition allows return substitutes.

• Under IFAB Law 3 (2026/27), a substituted player takes no further part in the match, except where return substitutions are permitted. Return substitutions are only allowed in youth, veterans, disability and grassroots football, and only with the agreement of the national association (SAFA), confederation or FIFA.
• The SAFA Competitions Uniform Rules, which govern the U13 and U15 Junior Football Leagues, allow seven named substitutes but do not provide for return substitutions. Unless your league has been told otherwise, treat substitutions as permanent.
• Only substitutes named on the team sheet before kick-off may take part.

Rolling (return) substitutions are part of SAFA's grassroots formats for ages 6 to 12.