IOSoccer Server Commands and RCON (Match Admin Cheat Sheet)
Every IOSoccer admin command you need: rcon_password, exec 8v8, mp_maxplayers, mp_botkeepers, half time timers, sv_restart, card bans and timeouts.
Updated Oct 7, 2026 · 6 min read
On this page
To run IOSoccer server commands from the game, open the developer console, type rcon_password yourpassword once, then put rcon in front of every command, for example rcon exec 8v8 or rcon mp_botkeepers 1. The commands you will use most are exec 4v4 / exec 5v5 / exec 8v8 for the format, mp_maxplayers for players per side, mp_botkeepers and mp_humankeepers for goalkeepers, mp_timelimit_match and mp_timelimit_halftime for the clock, and sv_restart to restart the match with a countdown. Typed straight into the server's own console, the same commands work without rcon.
Getting RCON working
RCON (remote console) lets an admin send server commands from inside the game. It needs a password set on the server, either rcon_password "secret" in iosoccer/cfg/server.cfg or +rcon_password secret on the start line.
From the game:
rcon_password secret
rcon status
If rcon status prints the player list, you are in. While you are not connected to the server, tell the client where to send commands first:
rcon_address 203.0.113.10:27015
rcon_password secret
rcon changelevel 8v8_vienna
Things that go wrong:
- "Bad RCON password" after a few tries can get your IP banned from RCON for a while. Copy the password exactly; it is case sensitive.
- Nothing happens. You forgot the
rconprefix, so the command ran on your own client instead of the server. - RCON from outside fails, in game RCON works. Remote RCON uses TCP on the game port (27015 by default), which also needs to be open.

Formats and team size
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
exec 4v4 |
Loads 4v4.cfg, the small sided preset |
exec 5v5 |
Loads 5v5.cfg |
exec 8v8 |
Loads 8v8.cfg, the full format most leagues play |
mp_maxplayers 6 |
Players per team, from 1 to 11 (default 8) |
changelevel <map> |
Changes the pitch; maps * lists the installed ones |
changelevel_next |
Jumps to the next map in the rotation |
The format configs live in iosoccer/cfg/. Open them in a text editor to see exactly what they change, and copy one to make your own, for example league6v6.cfg loaded with exec league6v6.
Goalkeepers
| Command | Values | Effect |
|---|---|---|
mp_botkeepers |
0 or 1 | Bots play in goal when no human takes the position |
mp_humankeepers |
0 or 1 | Lets players pick the goalkeeper position |
mp_botkeeperspeed |
0 to 100 | How fast the bot keeper moves (default 100) |
mp_botkeeperdelay |
ms | Bot keeper reaction delay, default 0 |
sv_singlekeeper |
0 or 1 | Single keeper mode |
For a pickup game without keepers, mp_botkeepers 1 is the easy fix. For competitive matches, most clubs set mp_humankeepers 1 and leave bots off so nobody gets a free save.
The match clock
All IOSoccer time settings are in real minutes. The default mp_timelimit_match 20 plays as 90 minutes on the in game clock, without stoppages and half time.
| Command | Default | Controls |
|---|---|---|
mp_timelimit_match |
20 | Length of the whole match |
mp_timelimit_warmup |
0 | Time before kickoff |
mp_timelimit_halftime |
1 | Half time break |
mp_timelimit_extratime_intermission |
0 | Break before extra time |
mp_timelimit_extratime_halftime |
0 | Break at half time of extra time |
mp_timelimit_penalties_intermission |
0 | Break before the shootout |
mp_timelimit_cooldown |
1 | Time after the final whistle |
Fractions work, so mp_timelimit_halftime 0.5 is a 30 second break.
Rules
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
mp_offside 1 |
Offside on (default) |
mp_extratime 1 |
Extra time after a draw |
mp_penalties 1 |
Penalty shootout after a draw |
mp_goldengoal 1 |
Golden goal in extra time |
mp_firstleg, mp_firstleg_goalshome, mp_firstleg_goalsaway, mp_firstleg_awaygoalsrule |
Settings for two legged cup ties (first leg score and away goals). Test them in a scrim before a real cup night |
Running the match
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
sv_restart 1 |
Restarts the match after a 1 minute countdown |
sv_restart 0 |
Restarts straight away |
sv_restart -1 |
Training mode, no match clock |
sv_endmatch |
Ends the current match now |
sv_autostartmatch 1 |
Starts a match automatically once players are in |
benchall 0 |
Moves every player to the bench (it must be run with 0) |
sv_wakeupcall |
Alerts AFK players to move |
pause / unpause |
Freeze the server, for example for a disconnect in a league match |
sv_restart takes more arguments than most people use: sv_restart <countdown in minutes> <is ceremony> <kick off team> <bottom team>. The short form with only the countdown is enough for scrims.
Timeouts
| Command | Default | Effect |
|---|---|---|
mp_timeout_count |
3 | Timeouts each team may call per match |
mp_timeout_duration |
5 | Total timeout minutes per team |
sv_endtimeout |
Ends a running timeout |
Discipline and player management
First get user IDs with rcon status. Then:
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
sv_toggleplayeryellowcard <userid> |
Adds or removes a yellow card |
sv_addplayercardban <userid> <length> |
Sends a player off immediately |
sv_removeplayercardban <userid> |
Lifts the card ban |
kickid <userid> "reason" |
Kicks with a message |
banid 60 <userid> kick |
Bans for 60 minutes and kicks; 0 is permanent |
writeid |
Saves permanent bans to banned_user.cfg |
Presentation
| Command | Example |
|---|---|
mp_teamnames |
mp_teamnames "FCB:FC Barcelona,RMA:Real Madrid" |
mp_teamkits |
mp_teamkits teamname searches kits; two values set home and away |
mp_serverinfo |
Text in the top left of the scoreboard |
mp_weather |
0 sunny, 1 rain, 2 snow |
sv_replay_instant_enabled |
1 shows a replay after each goal |
A match night script
Save this as iosoccer/cfg/matchnight.cfg and run rcon exec matchnight before kickoff:
exec 8v8
mp_maxplayers 8
mp_humankeepers 1
mp_botkeepers 0
mp_timelimit_match 20
mp_timelimit_halftime 1
mp_extratime 1
mp_penalties 1
sv_password "fixture-night"
sv_restart 1
More on passwords for private fixtures is in how to set a password on a game server. If players cannot get in at all, that is a network or version problem rather than a command, see IOSoccer server not showing or cannot connect.
For a friendly 5v5 mix, a second file with exec 5v5, mp_botkeepers 1 and no password switches the server back in one command.
Running these on a hosted server
On an IOSoccer server from GamezServers, the RCON password is generated for you and shown in the panel, where you can change it. You can also type every command above into the live console without rcon or a password at all, which is handy when you are not in game. Custom .cfg files go in iosoccer/cfg through the file manager or SFTP. If you are new to running one, start with how to host an IOSoccer server.

FAQ
How do I use RCON in IOSoccer?
Open the console, type rcon_password followed by the password, then add rcon before each command, for example rcon exec 8v8.
How do I add bot goalkeepers in IOSoccer?
Run rcon mp_botkeepers 1. Bots then take the goalkeeper spot whenever no player is in it.
How do I change the half time length?
Set mp_timelimit_halftime in real minutes, for example rcon mp_timelimit_halftime 2. Extra time and penalty breaks have their own mp_timelimit_* settings.
What does mp_maxplayers do in IOSoccer?
It sets the number of players per team, from 1 to 11. It is different from the server's total slots set at launch with +maxplayers.
How do I restart an IOSoccer match?
rcon sv_restart 1 restarts with a 1 minute countdown, sv_restart 0 restarts now, and sv_endmatch ends the match.
Skip the setup. Your own IOSoccer server.
Then $4.99/mo. Just trying it? $1.25 for 3 days