The science behind why soccer players spit so much: The scientific explanation of spitting
As millions tune in for the 2026 World Cup, one of soccer’s most noticeable habits has a scientific explanation, but that may not be the whole story.
Have you ever watched a game of soccer and wondered why players spit so much? If not, keep your eyes peeled during the 2026 World Cup.
There is, according to science, a fairly logical reason behind it.
As explained by Tifo, the theory is related to a type of mucin, a gel-forming protein that makes saliva sticky (lovely, I know). Different mucins serve different purposes, but one such protein, which forms in the throat, is designed to protect our lungs and intestines from becoming too dry, as well as prevent harmful foreign particles from entering and damaging them.
Studies show that the level of mucin in our saliva increases when we exercise, thought to be a response to our throat becoming drier as we breathe more heavily and deeply.
As a result, we end up with thicker, stickier-than-usual saliva, which can be as uncomfortable as it sounds. Spitting is the most obvious way to get rid of it.
Why does it seem more common in soccer?
Skeptics, however, would argue that soccer players seem to be much more prone to spitting than other athletes, who may exert similar or even greater effort in different sports.
Do you constantly spit when you go out for a long run? Are NBA courts covered in saliva in the final quarter of every game? Should tennis stars be provided with a spit bucket at the side of the court at all times?
The answer to those questions is no, so what’s going on with soccer players?
Nobody knows the real reason, although The Athletic attempted to get to the bottom of it with retired Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton and former Wolves winger Jordan Graham.
“It almost seems that kind of default thing,” said Prutton. “There are plenty of things that happen in football that, if you were in any other walk of life, it would be totally unacceptable. If I was walking down the street with my son and he gobbed on the floor, he’d get an almighty: ‘Sorry, what on earth are you doing?’ but in football it’s become acceptable.”
A soccer habit passed from generation to generation
Graham believes that acceptance has resulted in a chain reaction that continues to shape young players on the field.
“You see football as like a family and people that you idolise have been doing it, then all of a sudden you’re playing football and you’re doing it, and then you see these under-13s kids and they’re doing it. So when you see it daily, it almost becomes like second nature to players, and that’s one of the reasons it’s remained in football for so long.”
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.