• Each team is allowed 5 rolling substitutions for all matches.
• Fielding a player not listed on the final registration form by a manager/coach will result in immediate disqualification. This applies regardless of whether the player(s) possess a tournament player card.
  • Teams must report to the allocated field 30 minutes before the match’s scheduled start and report to the official at the field.
  • Teams arriving late, but within 5 minutes after the scheduled start, will incur a penalty of starting the match with 1 goal awarded to their opponents.
  • 1. Goal Difference, then
    2. Goals for, then
    3. Goals against
    4. If the above has been taken into consideration and the teams are still Equal, then a penalty shootout will take place between the teams.Teams arriving more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start will forfeit their game.
       

       2026 Age Categories and Actual Age as in 2026

       Category	Tournament Age Groups	Actual Age as in 2026
       GIRLS AND BOYS 10	Born in 2017 / 2016	9–10 years on or before 31 December 2026
       GIRLS AND BOYS 12	Born in 2015 / 2014	11–12 years on or before 31 December 2026
       GIRLS AND BOYS 14	Born in 2013 / 2012	13–14 years on or before 31 December 2026
       GIRLS AND BOYS 16	Born in 2011 / 2010	15–16 years on or before 31 December 2026
       GIRLS AND BOYS 18	Born in 2009 / 2008	17–18 years on or before 31 December 2026

       1. It is mandatory for all players to possess CHAMPIONS FA CUP player cards. Verified supporting documents which can include (Please provide original or certified copies):
       • Identity Document;
       • Passport;
       • Birth Certificate with a recent ID picture attached.
       2. Each team participating will have to complete the provided team sheet and the players listed on the sheet will present themselves to the official with the supporting documentation for reference and checks.
       3. The team sheet is to be filled out in duplicate, one is to be presented to the opposing team and one to the referee before the start of play.
       4. Any team not presenting a team sheet will forfeit the match.
       5. Each team is allowed the following squads
       • 11 v 11 Matches – 20 players along with 1 Coach and 1 Manager
       • 7 v 7 Matches – 18 Players along with 1 Coach and 1 Manager
       6. Player registration changes are strictly prohibited throughout the tournament.
       7. The inclusion of guest players is not permitted.
       8. Each team is entitled to field two personnel on the field of play during a game who will be identified by a neck tag provided by the organisers. No other person shall be entitled to gain access to the field during a game.

        

       Competition Format and Rules of the Competition

       2.1.1 Stages of the Competition

       2.1.1.1 The teams will be distributed into groups depending on the number of teams registered per age group.

       Group Stages

       Teams will be divided into groups. This will be the round robin round of the competition.

       Points for Group Stages

       Result	Points
       WIN	3
       DRAW	1
       LOSS	0
       Default Games	3 Points and 2 Goals

       Knockout Stages

       After the Group stages the Teams will go into the Knockout stages.

       Depending on the number of groups teams will qualify as follows:

       2 GROUPS – Semi Finals: The two top teams of each group will qualify for the semi-finals (4 Teams).

       3 GROUPS – Quarter Finals: The two top teams of each group will qualify as well as the 2 top teams overall, taking all three groups into consideration (8 Teams).

       4 GROUPS – Quarterfinals: The two top teams will qualify from each group (8 Teams).

       5 GROUPS – Quarterfinals: The top team of each group will qualify and then the three teams overall taking all five groups into consideration (8 Teams).

       If teams have the same points at the end of the Group Stages, the following will be taken into consideration.

    Semi Finals

    The winners of the Quarter Finals will proceed to the Semi Finals. If the score is a draw then teams will go straight into penalties. Each team will take 5 penalties and the referees will take charge of this process.

    Finals

    The winners of the Semi Finals will play in the Finals. If the score is a draw then teams will go straight into penalties. Each team will take 5 penalties and the referees will take charge of this process.

    Laws of the Game

    All matches will adhere to the laws of the game set by FIFA incorporating any adjustments made by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

    The referees decision is final and will not be changed under any circumstances unless substantial proof is provided to show mitigating circumstances that may have affected the outcome of a game. At this time the Disciplinary Committee shall view such evidence and rule accordingly adhering to the laws of the game.

    The disciplinary committees decision or ruling will be considered final in all matters.

    Duration of Matches

    • Round Robin Stage: 7 v 7 – 15 minutes per half + straight swap at half time. (30 min per game)
    • Round Robin Stage: 11 v 11 – 20 Minutes per half + 5 Minute break at half time. (45 min per game)
    • Semi-finals Stage: 7 v 7 – 15 Minutes per half + straight swap at half time (30 min per game), with a subsequent 5 penalty shoot out and sudden death in case of a draw.
    • Semi-Finals Stage: 11 v 11 – 25 minutes per half + 5 minute break (55 min per game), with a subsequent 5-penalty shootout and sudden death in case of a draw.
    • Finals: 7 v 7 – 15 Minutes per half + straight swap at half time (30 min per game), with a subsequent 5 penalty shoot-out and sudden death in case of a draw.
    • Finals: 11 v 11 – 25 minutes per half + 5 minute break (55 min per game), followed by a 5-penalty shootout and sudden death in the case of a draw.

    Commencement of Game

  • Teams must report to the allocated field 30 minutes before the match’s scheduled start and report to the official at the field.
  • Teams arriving late, but within 5 minutes after the scheduled start, will incur a penalty of starting the match with 1 goal awarded to their opponents.
  • Teams arriving more than 5 minutes after the scheduled start will forfeit their game.

  Uniform Requirements

  • All teams must possess 2 playing strips with distinctive colours.
  • In case of colour clashes, the away teams are obligated to change their kit (In this instance bibs will be accepted).

  Disciplinary Measures

  • The designated tournament Disciplinary Committee (DC) holds sole adjudication over all cases involving breaches of competition rules.
  • The committee’s decisions are final, with no appeals entertained.
  • Players who are sent off the field of play by the referee will incur an automatic one-match suspension.
  • Accumulating two bookings (yellow cards) in a game will result in a one-match suspension.
  • Receiving a red card will lead to a one-match suspension, with the severity of the case taken into consideration.
  • Bookings accumulated during the Round Robin stage will not be carried over to the Knockout stage.
  • The tournament organizers retain the authority to refer serious breaches of rules to the Disciplinary Committee (DC) for consideration and may involve the home Local Football Associations (LFAs) for serious offenders.
  • No correspondence will be entered into by the organisers with any team or club after the tournament.
  • Right of admission is reserved; any team, its players, coaches, managers or supporters found to be contravening the laws of the land will be removed from the premises and banned with immediate effect (and this includes amongst others):
  5. The consumption of alcohol on the premises;
  6. The smoking of cigarettes or similar on the premises;
  7. The making of fires or utilising any cooking apparatus to prepare food on the premises;
  8. The use of foul language;
  9. The threat of violence or aggression;
  10. Racist slurs or derogatory comments;
  11. Unethical, amoral or unconscionable actions shown towards any personnel, staff or designated referees of the tournament;
  12. No person other than the designated coach and manager shall be entitled to enter the field of play and stand behind the barrier around the field.
  13. Any parent, supporter, or a player from a team not playing at that time who infringe the perimeter of the barrier shall be reprimanded and if contravened by the same person more than once will be removed from the premises.

  Substitutes

• Each team is allowed 5 rolling substitutions for all matches.
• Fielding a player not listed on the final registration form by a manager/coach will result in immediate disqualification. This applies regardless of whether the player(s) possess a tournament player card.

Liability Disclaimer

The organisers will not be held liable for any indirect, economic, special or consequential loss or damage of any nature, including without limitation any physical or material damage, including physical injuries sustained by any person participating in connection with or arising out of the event. The organisers will not entertain any claims made against the organisers in any form or manner