Which players can play for my Under 12 or Under 13 team?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Youth football
- 9v9
- Under 12
- Under 13
- 2026/27
- Coaches
Under The FA's Standard Code of Rules (2026/27):
- Age group is set by age at midnight on 31 August: aged 11 = Under 12 (Year 7), aged 12 = Under 13 (Year 8).
- Players may play up one age group. Girls in all-girls teams may play an age group down in a mixed competition with approval.
- Two-year rule: a player under 15 on 31 August can't play in a match where any other player is two or more years older or younger than them.
- Every player must be registered through The FA's Player Registration System and approved by the league. Registrations last one season.
- A player can't play for two teams in the same age group in a league in one season without a transfer.
- Players registered with a Premier League or EFL academy can't play in grassroots leagues at this age (only Under 11 and below, with consent). FA Emerging Talent Centre or Professional Game Academy players can play, subject to those programmes' rules.
- Each team needs at least 9 registered players before the season starts, and at least 6 to play a match.
- School football takes priority, and a child's availability must be cleared with their head teacher (except for Sunday leagues).
Added 21 Oct 2026