First XI

For the British magazine, see First Eleven (magazine). For the Burmese newspaper, see First Eleven (newspaper).

File:HS First XI 1907.JPG

Hale School First XI (plus schoolmaster) in 1907

The first XI, first 11 or starting XI are the 11 primary players in an organisation's leading team, particularly a cricket team or association football team. A player who is considered part of the starting XI is often the most proficient in his/her particular position - for example, a football club's leading goal scorer will almost always be selected due to his ability and the contribution he/she makes to the team.

'First eleven' is a reference to the fact that they are the first eleven players selected to play for the team - many sports state that clubs must have squads of no fewer than X amount of players, and this number is often higher than 11. For example, in the Premier League, each club has to designate a squad of 25.