Rules

Academy, Under7, Under8, Under11, Age13+ and Girls Only consists of 8 teams – Argentina, Brazil, Italy, France, Holland, Germany, Portugal & Spain
Under9, Under10 and Under12 consists of 6 teams – Argentina, Brazil, Italy, France, Holland, & Spain
Each team plays group matches over 2 nights before MWC Finals day.
Quarter finals, semi finals, 3rd place play-off and Finals will all be played on MWC Finals day.
Quarter finals draw will be done at the end of group matches and will be based on league positions.
Winning quarter finalists will enter a World Cup semi-final. Losing quarter finalists will enter a World Cup Plate semi-final.
Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only age groups are competitive. Trophies are presented to the WC & WC Plate winners and runner up teams. All losing players receive a medal.
Academy and Under7 age group is non-competitive. All teams/players play in the WC Final, win the WC Final and receive a medal.

Normal UEFA/FIFA small sided rules apply except for below.
3 points are awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw.
All winning results are recorded by no more than 2 goals e.g. 5-2 is recorded as 4-2 with a 2 goal difference counted.
Academy games are 10 mins with no halftime.
Under7 games are 12 mins with no halftime.
Under8, Under11, Age13+ and Girls Only matches are 10 mins each half.
Under9, Under10 and Under12 games are 13 mins each half

All throw-ins for Academy and Under7 are allowed including under arm, overhead and some kicks.
Reasonable overhead throw-ins are allowed at Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only.
Sidelines kicks for Under 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13+ and Girls Only are NOT allowed – throw in must be re-taken.
Goals scored direct from throw-ins or kick-ins do not count.
Goals scored from throw-ins with deflection do count.

- All GK kick outs are contested by both teams – no retreat lines and no free 1st touch
- GK kick outs must be off the ground or GK throw outs are allowed.
- GK kick outs from hand are NOT allowed – GK kick out should be re-taken.
- GK cannot score directly from kick out – GK kick out should be re-taken.
- Goals scored from GK kickout with deflection does count.

Matches drawn at the end of normal time will have 1 period of 5 mins extra time played (no half time).
Matches drawn at the end of extra time will go to a penalty competition with 3 penalties to each side. The penalty spot is 10 referee paces from the goal. Matches drawn at the end of 3 penalties go to sudden death.

Matches drawn at the end of normal time will have 1 period of 5 mins extra time played (no half time).
Matches drawn at the end of extra time will go to a penalty competition with 3 penalties to each side. The penalty spot is 10 referee paces from the goal. Matches drawn at the end of 3 penalties go to sudden death.
3 points awarded for a win
Extra time goals are counted towards goals scored total. Penalties scored after extra time do not count.
1st, 2nd and 3rd positions are decided on the basis ..
- Points
- Goals scored
- Goal difference
- Head to head between teams
Following World Cup Qualifying Groups, teams advance to World Cup, Plate and Playoff finals

Corners can be awarded but at referees discretion
Referees are encouraged to keep playing as much as possible.
Throw-ins are used only to steer matches back to the playing pitch ! Obvious throw-ins may not be awarded if there is an opportunity to play on.
Referees are asked to re-take GK throw-outs that go straight to the opposition and score – no goal is awarded.
Referees will award free-kicks if needed but will keep playing if possible. Awarding of penalties will be avoided at all costs – even obvious penalties !!!
At referees discretion, own goals are dis-allowed and no goal is awarded. Play is re-started with the referee throwing the ball into space.
After a goal is scored, referee re-starts play by throwing the ball into space to the advantage of the team who conceded. At referee’s discretion, throw-outs, dribbling etc are also acceptable.

No corners are awarded , GK kick-outs are taken.
Referees are encouraged to keep playing as much as possible.
Throw-ins are used only to steer matches back to the playing pitch ! Obvious throw-ins may not be awarded if there is an opportunity to play on.
Referees are asked to re-take GK kick-outs that go straight to the opposition and score – no goal is awarded.
Matches of 5v6, 6v7 etc will happen – it happens all the time at this age group. Referees, managers and age coordinators may use guest players (sometimes older !) to keep matches even and competitive.
Sometimes there are no GK’s. Sometimes there is 1, 2 or more GK’s – referees will be flexible and understanding.
Referees will award free-kicks if needed but will keep playing if possible. Awarding of penalties will be avoided at all costs – even obvious penalties !!!
Own goals are dis-allowed and no goal is awarded. Play is re-started with the referee throwing the ball into space.
After a goal is scored, referee re-starts play by throwing the ball into space to the advantage of the team who conceded. At referee’s discretion, throw-outs, dribbling etc are also acceptable.

If leading by 3/more goals
- Losing team can play extra players
- If necessary, winning team should take players off

If 1 team has fewer players available then managers agree to play even numbers of players.