An app to organise football with friends: how to choose one and use it

Whoever organises a game among friends always has the same problems. A good app solves them without making life harder for the players:

• Getting people together: who's playing, who isn't, how many places are left. No list copied by hand in the group.
• Making the teams: two even teams, everyone in their position (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward).
• Covering drop-outs: a waiting list that fills the place when someone pulls out.
• Saying where and when: the address, a map link, the time and a reminder before the game.
• The cost of the pitch: how much each player pays, so there's no arguing afterwards.

• Do players have to sign up? Every extra step is someone who doesn't join. Best of all, opening a link is enough.
• Is it free for everyone? A game among friends shouldn't need a subscription.
• Is it for games among friends or for clubs and leagues? They are different things: apps for clubs have squads, fixtures and statistics; apps for games among friends focus on getting people together for the weekly game.
• Does it work for the whole group? If people from other countries play with you, the language matters: Squadiko works in English, Polish, Italian, Spanish and Russian, and everyone sees it in their own language.
• Does it repeat every week? The regular Thursday game shouldn't have to be created from scratch each time.

1. Create the game. Choose the day, the time, the pitch and how many players per team (from 5-a-side to 11-a-side, 7-a-side too). You can add the cost and whether it's paid in cash or electronically.
2. Send the link to the group. One link on WhatsApp, Telegram or wherever you talk. Whoever opens it sees the pitch with the free places.
3. Everyone picks a team and a position. The player taps a free place on the pitch and types their name. Nothing to download and no sign-up.
4. Balanced teams in one tap. If the teams come out uneven, the organiser taps "Balance teams" and Squadiko suggests two even teams that respect the positions.
5. On the day. Everyone gets a reminder. If someone pulls out, whoever is on the waiting list is told and can take the place.

The regular Tuesday or Thursday game is set up once: it repeats every week (or every two). 5 days before each date Squadiko asks you to confirm it, then everyone in the game's group gets the invitation. The pitch, time, teams and cost are copied over automatically.

If you're short of players, the game can be public: it shows up for people looking for a game nearby, on the map too. Whoever wants to play asks to join and you decide whom to accept. That's also how people who have just moved to town and don't know anyone get a game.