firstteam

The term firstteam, sometimes stylized as First Team or FirstTeam, denotes the principal group chosen to compete or operate at the highest level within a club, organization, or competition. It contrasts with reserve, junior, or second teams that support development or provide backup.

In team sports such as association football and rugby, the first team is the main squad that participates in league and cup matches. Clubs designate a starting lineup from the first-team roster, and players not selected at kickoff may serve as substitutes. The policy of promoting players from the academy to the first team is common in order to develop talent and maintain squad depth.

In North American sports and in media coverage, the term is broadly used in honors such as first-team All-Pro or first-team All-Conference, recognizing the best players at each position for a season. Such selections are typically made by leagues, players associations, or media outlets and may influence awards and recognition.

Beyond sports, the phrase can refer to the core leadership or primary operational group within an organization, sometimes referred to as the "first team" in business or government contexts, distinguishing them from advisory or support teams.

See also: second team, reserve team, all-pro, all-conference first team.