Is It Safe to Play Soccer with a Belly Button Piercing? Expert Advice

You are not allowed to wear any jewelry while playing, including a new belly button piercing. Tummy piercings or navel piercings are a fairly common type of body modification, and even some professional athletes have the same.

But soccer is a different game, and you have the official rules, the risks of the sport, and the healing process to take into account.

Today, we’ll discuss everything you should know about playing soccer with a belly button piercing, including:

• The official soccer rules on jewelry
• The risks associated with playing with a belly button piercing
• How long do you need to wait before playing after getting pierced
• Tips for protecting your piercing
• Whether or not a belly button piercing is a smart choice for soccer players

Can You Play Soccer With a Belly Button Piercing?

The short answer is no — you may not play official soccer matches with a belly button piercing. The FIFA Laws of the Game state that all types of jewelry are banned on the pitch.

It’s not just a rule of aesthetics; it is one of safety. Jewellery, belly button rings and the like, are regarded as a hazard to the wearer and fellow players.

Here’s what the rules say:

FIFA Law 4: The Player’s Equipment
“All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed.”

Referees are supposed to check players for jewelry before each game. If the referee catches you with a belly button ring (or any other jewelry), he’ll call you on it and ask you to take it off.

If you don’t, you won’t be permitted to play. And should the referee notice it while the game is on, they can halt play, demand you take it off and even give you a yellow card.

SEE ALSO | How Do You Wear a Soccer Jersey With Jeans?

What About Training or Pick-Up Games?

In informal situations such as training sessions, scrimmages or pick-up games, there is no referee whose job is to enforce the rules.

Your coach may let you wear jewelry during practice, but that doesn’t mean you should. Sports like soccer do require refitting the belly button ring to avoid accidents, but they’re just as lethal when it comes to injuries and germs.

The Risks of Playing Soccer With a Belly Button Piercing

Even if you’re tempted to keep your piercing in during a casual game or practice, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t:

1. Risk of Injury to Yourself

Soccer is a contact sport, and your midsection is often in the line of fire.

Whether it’s a stray elbow, a tackle, or even the ball itself, there’s a real risk of your belly button piercing getting caught, ripped out, or pushed into your skin. This could cause serious pain, bleeding, and even long-term damage to the piercing site.

2. Risk of Injury to Others

Your piercing isn’t just a danger to you—it can also harm other players. A belly button ring could scratch or puncture another player during a collision or close contact.

This is why FIFA bans jewelry in the first place: it’s a safety hazard for everyone on the field.

3. Risk of Infection

Soccer is a sweaty, high-friction sport, and these conditions are not ideal for a healing piercing. If your belly button piercing is still new, playing soccer with it increases the risk of infection.

Sweat, dirt, and bacteria can get trapped in the piercing, leading to irritation or even a serious infection.

Also, any trauma to the area (like getting hit or falling) can disrupt the healing process and introduce bacteria.

Can You Exercise After Getting a Belly Button Piercing?

Yes, you can work out or do any sort of exercises after getting a belly button piercing—but you have to take care.

“Clients don’t need to abstain from exercising post-piercing, they just need to be mindful of their regime,” says Janeese Brookes, Head Piercer at Stone and Strand.

Soccer, after all, is a high-impact, contact-heavy sport that is especially hard on new piercings.

While you may be able to do light, noncontact workouts (like jogging or yoga) soon after you’re pierced, you should avoid soccer until the piercing is completely healed.

SEE ALSO | How Do You Wear a Soccer Jersey With Jeans?

How Long Does It Take for a Belly Button Piercing to Heal?

And here is where things get complicated for soccer players. And because belly button piercings are so slow to heal — anywhere from 9 to 12 months, on average — it can be hard to tell when it’s worth getting checked out.

That’s nearly a full year of careful aftercare and avoiding activities that could interfere with the healing process

To soccer players, this is a big-time commitment.

It’s unlikely most players would take a year off from competition so you will most likely need to remove the piercing for games and practices before it is fully healed. this can hurt, and increases the risk of things like infection, or the piercing closing up.

Can Soccer Players Get Their Belly Buttons Pierced?

Technically, yes—soccer players can get their belly buttons pierced. However, it’s not an easy decision. Here are some factors to consider:

• Timing: If you’re planning to get a belly button piercing, the best time to do it is during an extended break from soccer, such as the off-season or after a long-term injury. This gives your piercing the best chance to heal without interference.
• Commitment: You’ll need to be diligent about aftercare, including cleaning the piercing regularly and avoiding activities that could irritate it. This means no soccer (or at least no contact soccer) for several months.
• Rules of the Game: Remember, you won’t be allowed to play official matches with the piercing in, even if it’s still healing. You’ll need to remove it for games, which can be uncomfortable and risky.

SEE ALSO | How Many Calories Do You Burn Playing Soccer? 

How to Protect Your Belly Button Piercing During Sports

If you’re determined to get a belly button piercing as a soccer player, here are some tips to protect it and minimize risks:

1. Remove the Piercing for All Contact Sports: This includes soccer games, practices, and even casual matches. It’s not worth the risk of injury or infection.
2. Avoid Tight Clothing: Wear loose-fitting shirts and shorts to reduce friction and irritation around the piercing.
3. Let It Heal Fully: Don’t rush the healing process. Wait until your piercing is fully healed before resuming intense physical activity.
4. Bring Extra Jewelry: If you need to remove your piercing for a game, bring a backup in case you lose the original.
5. Store It Safely: Use a sealed jewelry case to keep your piercing clean and secure while you play.
6. Choose Easy-to-Remove Jewelry: Opt for a belly button ring that’s quick and easy to take out and put back in.
7. Follow Aftercare Instructions: Clean your piercing regularly and follow all aftercare guidelines to prevent infection and promote healing.

Should You Get a Belly Button Piercing If You Play Soccer?

Ultimately, the decision to get a belly button piercing is a personal one. However, as a soccer player, you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Here’s a quick summary:

Pros:

• It’s a stylish and trendy form of self-expression.
• Many athletes, including soccer players, have successfully gotten belly button piercings.

Cons:

• FIFA rules prohibit wearing jewelry during games.
• Belly button piercings take 9-12 months to heal, which is a long time for athletes.
• Playing soccer with a piercing increases the risk of injury and infection.
• You’ll need to remove the piercing for games, which can be painful and inconvenient.

SEE ALSO | Can You Play Soccer with Asthma? 

Closing up

While it’s possible to have a belly button piercing as a soccer player, it’s not without its challenges. The long healing time, strict rules against jewelry, and risks of injury and infection make it a complicated choice for players.