Which players are eligible for my team?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Mini-soccer
- Under 8
- Under 9
- Under 10
- Under 11
- 5v5 and 7v7
- 2026/27
- Coaches
Under The FA's Standard Code of Rules (2026/27):
- Age group is set by the player's age at midnight on 31 August: aged 7 = Under 8, aged 8 = Under 9, aged 9 = Under 10, aged 10 = Under 11.
- A player may play up in the age group above, whatever the format, and the age-group rules apply to training as well as matches. Girls in all-girls teams may play an age group down in a mixed competition with approval.
- 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 without a transfer.
- Before the season, each team must have at least 5 registered players for 5v5 or 7 for 7v7.
- Players registered with a Premier League or EFL academy can only play in grassroots leagues at Under 11 and below, and only with consent from the Premier League or EFL (which can be withdrawn). Trial players aren't affected.
- Players aged 10 and over crossing borders (including from Wales, Scotland and Ireland) need international clearance.
Updated 21 Oct 2026